Janet Morrissey Atwood

She was born Janet Ione Morrissey on Dec. 21, 1925 in Elkhorn, WI, the daughter of William Leonard Morrissey & Bertha Boehm Morrissey. Janet's great-grandfather, Daniel Morrissey, came from Killea, County Waterford, Ireland to Elkhorn in 1855. Her ancestors on her mother's side came from Bavaria, Germany; England; & Scotland.

Janet was raised in Elkhorn, WI. She graduated from Elkhorn H.S. in 1943. Janet studied nursing at St. Lukes' School of Nursing in Racine, WI. She became a Registered Nurse in 1947. She worked at Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn, WI, where one of her patients was her future husband, John Horton Atwood.

Janet & John married in Elkhorn, WI on Jan. 8, 1949. During their 59 years of marriage, Janet & John had six children, became grandparents to twelve grandchildren, & became great-grandparents to seven great-grandchildren.

During her husband’s, John's, business career they lived in Wisconsin; West Lafayette, IN; Central Illinois; Pauls Valley, Oklahoma City, & Tulsa, OK; New Orleans, LA, & Houston, TX. They also lived for a period of time in the Republic of Singapore & London, England. Janet & John traveled extensively, visiting all fifty of the United States, & over eight percent of the countries in the world, making over twenty complete trips around the world.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Marjorie Jane Atwood, a brother, Robert L. Morrissey, & several brother & sister-in-laws. She is survived by five children & their spouses: John Atwood (Beth), Kathryn Mendel (Stephen), Susan Box (Michael), Michael Atwood (Julie), & Patrick Atwood (Sandra). Janet is survived by twelve grandchildren: Ashley Atwood (Stephen Pitts), Victoria Atwood, Samantha Atwood; Kyle Mendel; Jami Simons (Justin); Megan Atwood; Chase Atwood (Erin), Bret Atwood (Allyce), Van Atwood (Lizzy), Colt Atwood (Quincy), Quinn Atwood (Lauren); & Alexia Atwood; & seven great-grandchildren – Slane Pitts, Flynn Pitts, Ryker Simons, Renner Simons, Sienna Simons, Easton Atwood, Peyton Atwood. Janet is also survived by her brother, William J. Morrissey, & many nieces, nephews, & cousins.

No public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Janet’s name to the charity of your choice.