Janice Alire

Janice Alire, age 68, of New Richmond, passed away on February 23, 2025, at Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation, where she had been receiving care for a brief time. She was born on March 30, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, to Eugene and Sally (Wydajewski) Jozwiak. Janice grew up in Chicago, where she graduated from high school and later built a life rooted in love, adventure, and cherished family bonds.
She married Roderick R. Alire in Chicago, and together they eventually made Wisconsin their home, most recently settling in New Richmond. Janice had a strong work ethic and spent many years as a purchasing agent for FP International.
Janice was happiest when she was in the water—a true fish out of water whenever she wasn’t swimming. Some of her fondest memories were made at Paw Paw Lake in Michigan, where she even swam across it! She also treasured her time swimming in the ocean and the unforgettable trips to Hawaii. Beyond her love for the water, Janice enjoyed what she playfully called “digging in the mud”—gardening, planting flowers, and nurturing trees. She was also talented in the kitchen, whipping up delicious meals, and had a knack for sewing—whether it was patching up worn-out britches or creating something new.
Her love for books made for many quiet and cozy nights, getting lost in the pages of Game of Thrones or a Tom Clancy novel. Always bubbly and full of warmth, her radiant smile was contagious. However, nothing brought her greater fulfillment than the long and heartfelt conversations she shared with her sisters.
She will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Rod; stepchildren, Greg Alire and Elizabeth Alire; and her beloved sisters, Norine (Alan) Wandasiewicz, Denise Jozwiak, and Susan Jozwiak, along with her nieces and nephews Vincent and Veronica Wandasiewicz. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Sally Jozwiak.
Honoring her wishes, Janice will be cremated, and her ashes will be lovingly returned to nature at some of her favorite swimming spots and destinations.
Cremation services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Prescott.