Janet O. E. Oswald

Janet Olga Elizabeth Oswald Obituary

Janet Olga Elizabeth Oswald of Port Washington, WI, was welcomed into the open arms of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of Sunday, July 21, 2024, with her daughter and son-in-law at her side. She was given 86 years of God’s amazing grace and blessings here on earth.

Janet was born to Adolph C. and Erna F. (Groth) Huebner on September 19, 1937, in Manitowoc, WI. She became a child of God when she was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newtonburg, WI, by Pastor E. H. Kionka, and was also confirmed there, by Pastor F. C. Knueppel. Her memory verse was Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” That Bible verse would be a constant source of strength, comfort and hope throughout her earthly journey on this side of heaven.

She graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, WI, and then worked at Fischer’s Ice Cream and Dairy Company as a bookkeeper.

She met the love of her life, Robert Oswald, who was a Seminary student and was assigned to her church for his vicar year. They were married there on June 2, 1957, by Pastor A. T. Degner.

She faithfully loved and served her family and those Robert served in his ministry with kindness, hospitality and genuine concern, and continued in prayer for them all at St. Peter’s in Weyauwega, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, WI, and St. Paul and Christ, the dual parishes in Crandon, WI, and Hiles, WI, and later (Town Grover) Peshtigo, WI. She was a faithful, humble and loving stay at home wife and mother as Annette grew up and later was employed at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary as an administrative assistant in the library and also as a faculty secretary for 30 years. Her love for her Lord and others was evident in her day to day life and relationships with those around her.

After retirement she and Robert volunteered as teacher assistants for 15 years at Our Savior Lutheran School in Annette’s kindergarten classroom. The students fondly referred to them as Grandma and Grandpa Oswald.

She became Robert’s primary caregiver through the early, middle, and beginning late stages of dementia. She took on her role with great love and faithful dedication until the time came for him to receive more skilled care in a memory care unit at Lasata.

She enjoyed singing hymns, baking delicious desserts (especially her famous cookies which she so generously shared with others), gardening, sewing and a very favorite - spending time visiting with family and friends and making connections with people she met. She was a prayer warrior for her family and friend and many others she met. She used Facebook to encourage others and let them know she was thinking about and praying for them.

In many ways her support of ministry to others didn’t end. Her family was often told that she would openly share her love for Jesus and also her concern for those who didn’t know Jesus as their Savior. Even in her later years as her health declined, she faithfully studied God’s Word and continued to make having daily devotions a priority each day, and left a legacy of faith for her family and all those she met. Even through her pain and challenges she tried to see the blessings God sent her way each day.

She is survived by her daughter Annette and son-in-law William Favorite of Port Washington; two grandchildren, Jacob (Renae) Diener, Anna (Seth) Kampa; 3 great-grandchildren, Ezra, Eleanor and Edison Kampa; and one sister-in-law, Marian Biedenbender. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Erna (Groth) Huebner; mother and father-in-law, Myra (Otto) and Kurt Oswald; husband, Rev. Robert Oswald; son-in-law, Richard Diener; brother Ralph (and the late Rachel) Huebner; brothers-in-law Gerhard Biedenbender and Harold (and the late Barbara) Oswald.

A visitation take place from 10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. at Christ Alone Lutheran Church – Calvary Campus, 247 S. Main St., in Thiensville, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, at the church, at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Kurt Ebert will officiate. Internment will take place at Immanuel Cemetery in Cedarburg at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be directed to Christ Alone Lutheran Church, Thiensville; Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon; or Our Savior Lutheran School, Grafton.

Janet’s family extends special thanks to the pastoral staff and Shut-in Ministry efforts of Christ Alone Lutheran Church; dear family and friends who faithfully prayed for and encouraged Janet and took time to visit, call or text, or befriend her on Facebook; to the caring staff members of Ellen’s Home of Port Washington, the Lasata Senior Living Campus; Horizon Hospice; Aurora and Ascension Hospitals, and all the EMTs and police who helped over her last years making sure she got to the hospital for care. The outpouring of prayers, patience, kindness and support shown to her and her family was a tremendous blessing!

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. Revelation 2:10

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Ohne das Kreuz, gibt es keine Krone!

Without the cross there is no crown!