Janet P. Davenport

Janet (Jan) Pauline Davenport (née Hoffland), 86, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026.

Jan was born on June 30, 1939, in Blue River, Wisconsin, the daughter of Arthur Hoffland and Zelma Kalish. She attended high school in Blue River, where she formed lifelong friendships she spoke of often and cherished deeply.

Jan continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and later at Hawai’i Pacific University, cultivating both her love of learning and her passion for teaching.

For 54 years, Jan served as a dedicated educator in the La Crosse School District. Much of her career was spent as a homebound teacher, working with students who were unable to attend school due to illness, disability, or other life circumstances. She also devoted decades to teaching incarcerated men and women at the La Crosse County Jail, helping them earn their GEDs. She was deeply proud of this work and firmly believed that education should be accessible to anyone willing to put in the effort, regardless of background. She approached every student without judgment and with unwavering compassion.

Jan had a special love for the arts. She could often be found attending local community theater productions, enthusiastically supporting performers, or volunteering her time to help organize and promote local events. She believed that creativity enriched a community and was delighted in seeing the arts flourish in the La Crosse area.

Above all, Jan will be remembered for her kindness, strength of character, and steadfast belief in the potential of others. She had a gift for encouragement and made those around her feel seen, valued, and capable. Her family will always treasure her wisdom, her quiet resilience, and the way she showed up consistently and lovingly for the people in her life.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Kari Schunk; her grandson, Nathan Schunk; and her great-grandson, Owyn Schunk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Zelma Hoffland, and her sister, Lila Schilleman.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue S., La Crosse. Marty Yeager will officiate. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m.