Jane Prosser Graunke

Jane Prosser Graunke of Gilbert, Arizona passed away on July 12, 2025 at American Orchard Senior Living. She was 94 years old. She always had a bright, quick smile and many stories for anyone she met.

Jane was born on June 5, 1931 in Antigo, WI to the late William and Charlotte Prosser. Her parents raised her and her younger brother, Tom, in Antigo.

Jane graduated from Antigo High School and attended Northland College in Ashland, WI. After leaving Northland and getting married, Jane lived in Wausau, WI for nearly thirty years. In 1986 she decided that a warmer climate was for her, so she moved to Mesa, AZ, where she lived for the rest of her life.

She enjoyed thirty-seven years at Leisure World, where she had a large group of friends. She played golf, participated in various weekly card games, community dances, and many other social activities.

Jane loved dogs her entire adult life and always had a faithful, furry friend at her side. She enjoyed dining out with friends, but her dogs enjoyed it more. They ate steak more than they ate dog food.

During her life Jane worked in insurance and many retail sales positions. Her sales positions resulted in a wonderful collection of crystal, fine china, and closets full of clothes, jewelry, and watches. As a result, she was always dressed perfectly for any occasion.

While Jane loved the warmth of Arizona, she never forgot winters in Wisconsin. To remind her of those days, she began to collect snowmen. The collection became too large for a normal display. Jane’s “second bedroom” became the Snowman Room, which at last count had over 425 pieces. That count did not include dozens of other snowmen stored in her garage.

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her brother Tom.

She is survived by two nieces, Pam (Bart Armstrong) Prosser and Kari Prosser, and a nephew, Jim (Laura Guy) Prosser, along with four grandnieces and one grandnephew.

In addition, she is survived by her longtime caregiver, turned best friend, Sue Burger. Sue became Jane’s “rock”, as she was a trusted confidant and extraordinary caregiver, knowing exactly what Jane needed in any situation. Their bond was unbreakable.

We will all miss her infectious laugh, her stories of times gone bye, and her unending affection for family and close friends.

We want to thank American Orchards and its staff for the care provided Jane for the last two and a half years. They accepted Jane into the community at a time of transition and made her feel welcome. We also want to thank Always Present Hospice for the care and comfort provided to Jane over the last year. They proactively addressed Jane’s needs and were thoughtful in their approach and communication.

A private graveside service for Jane will take place at Antigo Cemetery.