Janet A. (Westrich) Hessefort

Janet “Jan” A. Hessefort, 88, of Medford, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at Aspirus Care and Rehab, surrounded by her loved ones.

A funeral mass for Jan will be held Friday, December 12, 2025 at 11 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford, WI, with Father Julian Druffner officiating. The funeral service will also be available through Holy Rosary’s Facebook livestream. Visitation will take place from 9 AM until the beginning of service at 11 AM. A meal will follow the service.

Jan was born on October 9, 1937 to Phillip and Hazel (Sigmund) Westrich in Perkinstown, WI. In her early life, Jan traveled throughout the US and Europe, with that path eventually leading her back to Medford, WI. It was during this time that Jan worked as a telephone operator supervisor for the Marshfield Telephone Company.

Jan’s passion for nature stemmed in childhood and followed her the rest of her life. She could be found fishing at the nearest river bank or lake front, feeding her beloved hummingbirds, and logging, which became her lifelong career. It was even nature that brought Jan the love of her life. One March evening, Jan hit a deer and was in need of assistance. It was Donald Hessefort, Sr. who stopped to provide assistance. About a week after that encounter, he asked Jan to go out with him. After a few months of dating, Don asked Jan to marry him. On October 29, 1966 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church the two were married. As Jan always liked to say, she got two deer with one shot.

Jan and her husband, Don, were not only partners in life, but also in the woods, making a successful career logging together. In addition to Jan’s arduous career, she spent her free time helping others. She was extremely active within the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. For many years she helped serve meals and wash dishes for funerals. She and Don also dedicated their time to collecting aluminum cans for the Cans for Kids program. In 2007, the Diocese of Superior awarded them with the Spirit of Stewardship award.

Jan remained active to the very end. After she retired from logging, it was common to find her putting an intricate puzzle together, traveling with her husband to find the next best waterfall and rapids, and of course, watching her favorite baseball team, the Dodgers.

Jan is survived by her children, Lynn Hessefort of Medford, Lori (Kevin) Basch of Plover, and Donald (Karen) Hessefort, Jr. of Medford; granddaughter Kayla Clark of Medford; siblings Nona Dalke of Monett, MO., Inez (Eddie) Sykes of Florida, and Sandy (Joe) Salaja of Boulder Junction; sister-in-law Linda Jones of Long Beach, CA; brothers-in-law Mark (Robin) Hessefort of Waunakee and Robert (Twila Clarkson) Hessefort of Medford. Jan is further survived by other family, friends, and furry grandchildren Lucky and Frankie.

Jan is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Donald Hessefort, Sr.; brother Allen Westrich and sister Patricia Wodjac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jan’s name may be given to Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford, WI or the Taylor County Humane Society.

Jan’s family would like to thank the staff of Aspirus Care and Rehab, Cedar Lane Assisted Living, and Hope Hospice for the kind and compassionate care she received.

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