Nancy Schwenkner

Local “Muralist”, Nancy (Nance) Schwenkner of Janesville passed away on April 30, 2026 in Albany, WI with her sister, Julie by her side. She lost her two-year battle with ovarian cancer. Nancy was the youngest child born of Wayne and Dorothy (Soderberg) Schwenkner on February 8, 1961, in Janesville, WI. She grew up in a neighborhood full of kids in the days of outdoor fun. She learned to fish from Dad, love to draw, hang out with dogs and chase hot-air balloons. Nancy was a student balloon pilot at age 16 and at that time, the youngest student balloon pilot in Wisconsin. In high school she was a member of the “5” Club, an excellence-based group of F. W. Douglas’s World Geography class and her art grew from there. She graduated from Craig High School in 1979 at the top of her class. Nancy was a muralist before it was popular. She painted three murals of hot-air balloons on the Cousin’s barn in Albany, WI, starting in the 1980’s and lastly in 2017. Her art is well known in Albany and surrounding areas. People still stop and take pictures of her work.

Nancy retired after working for General Motors for 30 years, 24 years in Janesville, WI and six years in Youngstown, OH. Nancy was always helping others. She would help someone in need, donate to the humane society or hold a door for a stranger. She took care of our Mom for years in her own home as well as her mother-in-law and Helen. Nancy was a “doodle” Mom and took great care of her animals. Throughout the years, she had gems like: Peaches, Snickers and Tootsie and loved to dress them up for holidays.

Nancy,- we love you to the moon and back “all the time” and already miss your smile, your laugh, and your beautiful blue eyes.

Nancy is now reunited with her grandparents, Albert and Mary Schwenkner; parents, Wayne and Dorothy (Soderberg) Schwenkner; brother, John Schwenkner; brother-in-law, Joe Cousin; partner Helen and others gone before her.

Left to cherish her memories are sisters; Kristine (Tom) Homstad of Janesville, WI and Julie Cousin of Albany, WI; sister-in-law Karen Schwenkner and favorite nephew Patrick Schwenkner of Elm Grove, WI; wonderful uncle, Leon (Butch) Schwenkner of Janesville, Wi. She is also survived by best friend, Kim Kiely, GM friends, God Mother Mary Garvin of Janesville and extended family.

Nance – A more generous soul than you’ll ever know

She went out of her way to make sure you are ok

Bringing treats or gags or food in doggie bags

Books she thinks would be fun, she drops them off one by one

So many funny things in her artsy way

From dropping off a gnome to elves on the shelf

Bring a toy or just her joy

She made you laugh and off she went on her way (home)

By sister, Kris

For Nance, my Haiku to you:

I miss you dearly

To hear you say I love you

Silently I cry.

Sister, Julie

Please join us for a Celebration of Life and lunch on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 North Wright Road, Janesville, WI from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a time of sharing at 1:30 p.m. Donations may be made to Special Olympics of Wisconsin, the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin or your local food pantry. Online condolences may be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.