UPDATE Oct. 19, 2022
Jane Louise Myhra
February 9, 1953 – October 17, 2022
Jane Louise Myhra, 69, died October 17, 2022, at The Residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
She was born in Iola, Wisconsin, on Feb. 9, 1953, to Palmer and Lois Myhra.
Jane graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1971. She attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls after high school.
After college, Jane was employed as a Milk Tester for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) in Lena, Wisconsin, where she worked for several months before transferring to the Waupaca County area. She worked for DHIA for about 20 years and was familiar with many of the farm families throughout Waupaca County. She was the first female ever hired for this position in the Appleton area.
After leaving DHIA, she worked at Kmart in Waupaca for several months before starting her journalism career in 1996 at the Iola Herald in Iola. She had written a few articles for the Iola Herald previously and was honored to be hired at the Herald full time. Jane was a familiar sight at community activities in Iola, Manawa, and Amherst throughout her time with the newspaper. She enjoyed meeting people and writing stories about people and the communities.
“For years, Jane was an integral part of our weekly publications of the Iola Herald and Manawa Advocate. She took a personal stake in documenting the happenings in our communities. In our small office group, Jane worked tirelessly to provide the best possible weekly newspaper for each locality. We could not have done it without her,” stated former Herald co-publishers Trey and Mary Foerster.
“Jane was an integral part of our editorial content, giving of herself and time weekly through photography and writing, bringing to print the life and cultural happenings on a weekly basis. We and the communities she served owe her a depth of gratitude. She is a true journalist and consummate writer.
“But her writing endeavors didn’t stop with newspapers. She has written many fictional books and her own family life stories. Jane also was the editor for her father, Palmer, who also put down on papers some of life’s recollections.
“We don’t think a better life story could be written of a small-town writer who made a positive impact on Iola-Scandinavia and Manawa for decades.”
During her later years with the Iola Herald, she transitioned to working and writing for the Waupaca County Post due to a merger. She also wrote for the Wisconsin State Farmer and Wisconsin Horseman’s News along with some free lancing for Jones Publishing.
Jane won many awards for her writing throughout the years and was honored at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association several times for her work. She retired from her journalism career in March of 2017.
Prior to her retirement, Jane wrote and self-published a poetry book, The Robin’s Song, which included poems, prose and essays that she had written. In this book, she stated, “One does not become a writer-one is a writer.” And Jane was a writer.
She went on to write and publish a medieval fiction series. “The Sword of Gold,” which includes 16 books, with the 17th in progress at the time of her passing. She also spent the past months writing her memoirs, with hopes that her family and friends will compile her last work. Jane attended renaissance and craft fairs to share her books.
Jane was actively involved with the Iola Lioness and later the Iola Lions, and assisted with publicity, the Iola Winter carnival raffle and various other activities. She served in various officer positions during her time with the Lioness, to include being on the Wisconsin Lion’s Foundation Board. She was active with the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society and the Waupaca County Republican Party.
Jane is survived by three sisters: Kathleen (David) Olson of Red Wing, Minnesota, Nancy (Stan) Smith of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Judy (John) Smith of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews: Terri (Fran Christjohn) of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Jeffrey (Megan) Smith of Morrisonville, Wisconsin; Kristoffer (Erinn Liebhard) Olson of Saint Paul, Minnesota; Tara Herwig of Appleton, Wisconsin; Heather Olson of Saint Paul; Amy (David) Berg of Neenah, Wisconsin; and Kevin Smith of Oshkosh.
She is also survived by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Palmer and Lois Myhra and her sister Terri Myhra.
The Memorial Service for Jane will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola, with the Rev. Dale Wilson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 4-7 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30–10 a.m. at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola. Interment of cremains will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Iola.
Jane was blessed to have had other special people in her life to include Marie and Ken Graeff, Bonnie and Steve Robertson, and Ardis Mani. Jane’s family wants to recognize and thank Marie and Ken Graef for their friendship and assistance throughout Jane’s journey. Special thanks to Theda Care Hospice, Theda Care at Home and The Residence Staff in Oshkosh for their caring and compassion. Jane’s journey after being diagnosed with a chronic illness was supported by medical teams in Waupaca, Appleton, and UW-Madison.
Jane left this message for her family and friends: “Don’t be sad that I am gone. Rejoice that you knew me. As every day I thank God that he gave me a chance to live and enjoy life.”
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the local Meals on Wheels program.