Janet M. Lucas, age 72, was called home on Friday, May 29th, 2026, surrounded by family and friends at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison.

Janet was born on September 8, 1953, in Harvey, Illinois, to Harold and Priscilla (Lighthall) Plahm.

After high school, Janet attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Her time in Ames was brief, as she and her family relocated to Wisconsin. Janet began her healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Wisconsin.

It was during this time that Janet discovered her passion for nursing. She enrolled in the Registered Nursing program at Madison General Hospital/Meriter in Madison and graduated as a Registered Nurse.  While Janet was getting settled into her nursing career, she met and married the love of her life George.  Janet continued serving her community for many years as an RN at Columbus Hospital and later at the Poser Clinic in Columbus.

Throughout her life, Janet enjoyed a large community of friends and remained deeply connected to the Columbus area.  She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers and was rarely happier than when cheering on her favorite teams. Janet also had a special love for her beloved cats, Willie and Stanley, who brought her years of companionship and joy.

Janet is survived by her stepson Chris (Jen) Lucas of Menasha, Wisconsin; step-grandchildren Sara Siler and Katelyn Siler both of Menasha, Wisconsin; cousins Barbara Strain of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Susan (Bill Mack) da Silva of Kensington, California; Carol Kohne of Flagstaff, Arizona; Richard Alkema of Fiddletown, California; Donald (Jodi) Page of Romeoville, Illinois; William (Susan) Alkema of Phoenix, Arizona; Carrie (Gary) Miller of Salem, Wisconsin and Kathy (Steve) Azzato of Libertyville, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Pricilla Plahm; her husband George Lucas; her brother William Plahm and her sister Ann Lousie Plahm.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at Columbus United Methodist Church in Columbus, Wisconsin, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Sang Wook Park will officiate. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Prairie Ridge Hospital in Columbus or to Columbus United Methodist Church in Columbus.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all her dearly loved friends and to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Prairie Ridge Hospital in Columbus and Columbus Health and Rehab Center for their above and beyond care and support.

The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Sam Poser, Dr. Rolf Poser and the Poser clinic for their kindness, compassion, and dedicated care of Janet over the years.

Online condolences may be shared with Janet's family and friends at jensenfuneralandcremation.com