Janet Marie Leaf died peacefully on April 30, 2016, surrounded by family at the American Lutheran Home in Menomonie, WI. She was born on June 8, 1924, in Milwaukee, WI daughter of Dr. Harold C Deutsch and Marie Frey Deutsch.

During her youth, she traveled with her parents to Europe before World War II, and after high school graduation in Minneapolis, MN, she worked in Washington DC in the OSS (precursor to the CIA) during the War.

Janet earned a BA degree magna cum laude and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology (1951) at the University of Minnesota.

After she married Robert E. Leaf on June 12, 1948, in Minneapolis, they started dairy farming in Afton, MN and later moved to a farm in Woodville, WI.  In her mid-thirties, Janet contracted polio. She spent six months at the Kinney Institute in Minneapolis, and had to learn to walk again. Her battle with polio did not prevent her from raising her family on the farm and pursuing her interests such as gardening, sewing, and reading. Her creative talents were reflected in her many sewing projects for her family and as gifts to others.

Always staying busy, she worked as a US Census taker and as the Librarian of the Woodville Public Library.  After moving off the farm, Janet utilized her degree by working for the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association for 7 years. She followed this by yet another venture, moving to Milwaukee, to work as a legal assistant for 10 years.

Upon retirement, Janet settled in Roseville, MN to enjoy her grandchildren and began pursuing her lifelong love of history.  Janet not only read extensively about the Civil War (she had over 80 books on the topic), she made many trips to Civil War Historical Sites.  She could recite the Gettysburg Address from memory. Janet also loved to follow the trails of the Indian Wars. 

Her generosity of spirit was demonstrated by her many charitable contributions.

Janet was survived by eight children; Catherine Leaf of Madison, WI; Linda Leaf of Milwaukee; Sheila (Larry) Jaeger of Punta Gorda, FL; Robin Leaf of Denver, CO; Michael (Teri) Leaf of Eau Claire, WI; Jennifer Leaf (Dennis Hand) of St James City, FL; Jeffery (Jane) Leaf of Baldwin, WI; Matthew (Vicki) Leaf of Colorado Springs, CO; 8 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.  She also is survived by a sister, Dorothy Thews; a brother Harold C (Georjann) Deustch Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, brother in-law Richard Thews, son in-law Charles Ollivier, and nephew Eric Thews.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on June 5th from 3:00-6:00pm at The Orchard in Baldwin, WI.

Cremation services are being provided by O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory of Baldwin WI.