Obituary: Frederick “Fritz” (family nickname "Sunny") Jannette

Frederick “Fritz” (family nickname "Sunny") Jannette, age 89, of the Town of Rantoul, died on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the home he cherished and loved with his loving family by his side. 

He was born June 11, 1935 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, son of the late Joseph Charles & Elma (Niemi) Jannette.When Fritz was 12 years old, the family moved from Cedarburg, Wisconsin to Plainfield, where he met the love of his life, Avaneil in 7th grade walking down the classroom aisle. Following High School, Fritz proudly served in the United States Navy where he was stationed on the USS Yellowstone.  Following his honorable discharge, Fritz married the girl he rode the school bus with, Avaneil Violet Walter, in Almond, Wisconsin on October 19, 1957.  In 1960, The couple followed Avaneil’s sister (Evie and Merlin Wieting) to the Calumet County area where they purchased the Freund Family Farm.  During their time farming, Fritz and Avaneil created more and more connections throughout the community.  Then, on a snowy January evening in 1965, Avaneil had a single car entanglement with a bridge that led to a broken ankle. With no insurance, farming was abandoned and Fritz started working with Arnold Ortlepp.  The neighborhood came together to help the family during this time. A partnership for the Ortlepp Pit with Fritz and Willy Krepline was then formed.  This partnership eventually became Jannette Sand & Gravel in 1972.  This modest beginning became something bigger than Fritz could have ever imagined, with his children and grandchildren serving the community with trucking & excavation needs for 53 years.When Fritz wasn’t sitting in a high-hoe telling everyone on the job site what to do, Fritz loved the quietude of being in the outdoors.  He took time to go hunting and fancied himself a great deer hunter, but fishing was his favorite endeavor. 

He was a member of the NEWGLSF Fishing Club, and a lifetime member of the NRA which has now been passed on to family. Fritz never passed up a moment to drive the boat on Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and on occasion, Lake Winnebago. As he rolled into his 50’s, Fritz found the frozen waters of Lake Winnebago to be a friendly environment for Sturgeon Spearing and, from his first time out, became hooked.  Above all else, Fritz cherished his family time including meal time, playing cards, games, watching tv and family talks.  Once you sat down at the family table for a meal, you became family. It was nearly impossible to have a conversation with him and not have Fritz mention something about those closest to him.  Daily, he reminded himself and those around him how truly blessed he was and how his life and the life of his family turned out through Love, faith, hard work, and determination. 

Survivors include his wife: Avaneil Jannette; his children: Debora Grube (David Stone), David (Karen) Jannette, Daniel (Mary Kay) Jannette; his grandchildren: Adam (Tracie) Grube, John Jannette, Allison (Andrew) Jensen, Jake (Kelly) Lamers, Jessica (Jeremy) Hendricks, Joseph (RanaRose) Jannette, Jared (Laura) Jannette; great grandchildren: Madison Grube, Marcus Grube, Kaden Jannette, Edward Jensen, Maxton Lamers, Rhett Lamers, Zalea Hendricks, Emon Hendricks, Percival Hendricks, TikkaRose Jannette, Reagan Jannette, Sawyer Jannette, Hillard Jannette, Jackson Jannette, Jenna Jannette; his siblings: Charlene Schultz & Harvey (Nancy) Jannette; and a sister-in-law: Maxine Jannette.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sons-in-law: Steven Grube, Arthur Graham; grandchild: Marc Grube; a brother: Jim Jannette; and a brother-in-law: Bob Schultz.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Wieting Family Funeral Home in Chilton.  A time of visitation was held from 10:00 am until 12:45 pm.  There is a link available at wietingfuneralhome.com for  those wishing to watch an archived recording of the service, view a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.

The family wants to express their love and gratitude to the Calumet Medical team, especially Lisa Schabach, Jessica Hendricks, the Calumet County Home Health Care team, especially Linda Karls and the members of the Hilbert/Potter First Responders for all their loving efforts for the past couple of months.Memorials given in the name of Frederick "Fritz" Jannette are greatly appreciated for the Potter Fire Department and/or the Hilbert/Potter First Responders.