Janice "Jan" K. Paplham

Jan Paplham passed away on October 13, 2025. She was born August 24, 1943 in Kewaunee, the daughter of George and Elsie Velicer. On June 11, 1966, she married the love of her life, Dick Paplham. They enjoyed over 59 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with three great children, Bill, Sue, and Cindy.

Jan graduated as valedictorian of Kewaunee High School before continuing her education at UW–Oshkosh, where she earned a degree in physical education and graduated summa cum laude. Recognized for her achievements, she was selected as one of the university’s ten outstanding seniors. She began her teaching career in Kimberly, WI, and later spent a year in New Haven, CT, while Dick completed his teaching degree. During that time, she worked at Yale University.

At age 30, Jan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which prevented her from continuing her career in physical education. Despite this challenge, she poured her energy into volunteer work. While Sue and Cindy were young, she was active with the Girl Scouts, contributed to the Green Bay Southwest High School Booster Club, and dedicated more than 25 years of service as a member of St. Mary’s Hospital Mary Guild.

Jan had a deep love of gardening and filled her home with flowers throughout the seasons, from the first crocuses in March to the mums in November. She also enjoyed creating dried flower arrangements and wreaths. Family time was especially important to her, and she cherished playing games and working on puzzles with her grandchildren, with Sheepshead being a particular favorite. She and Dick often played cards and games together with friends and relatives, creating lasting memories around the table.

She enjoyed watching Bill, Sue, and Cindy participate in high school basketball, soccer, track and volleyball and watching Cindy play volleyball in college. She was an avid Badger (her favorite team!), Packer, Bucks, and Brewers fan.

Jan and Dick shared a love of travel, making countless trips to visit family and friends, often to Buffalo, NY to see Bill, Pam, and the grandkids; to Portland, OR to spend time with Sue and Gugo; and to Cottage Grove, WI to visit Chris, Cindy, and their grandkids. They also traveled to southern California to be with Dick’s parents and his three brothers. Together they enjoyed two trips to Hawaii, a Caribbean cruise, visits to 18 U.S. national parks, and memorable journeys to Banff and Jasper in Canada, along with many adventures closer to home throughout Wisconsin.

Jan is survived by her husband, Dick, her son Bill (Pam), her daughter Susanna (Augusto), her daughter Cindy (Chris), grandchildren Tyler, Brittany, Kyan, and Jayden, brother-in-laws Ken (Shirley) and Mike (Leslie). She was preceded in death by her parents George and Elsie Velicer, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ernest and Lillian Paplham, brother Lee, sister Gerrie, and brother-in-law Ernie.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Jan’s care teams at Bellin and Unity for their compassion and dedication, and offers a special thank you to her niece Kathy and husband Mike Koslowski for their exceptional kindness and generosity.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jan’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society online at https://www.nationalmssociety.org, or sending by mail to the National MS Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, D.C. 20090-1891.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, 2771 Oakwood Dr, Green Bay, WI 54304. A visitation from 9 AM until 11 AM will be held at the church prior to Mass.

To share a memory of Jan or leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.