Jane K. (Peterson) Sauriol

Jane K. (Peterson) Sauriol, 90, of Lafayette, IN passed away December 24, 2024. Jane was born in Elkhorn, WI May 24, 1934 to Martin Peterson and Bernita (MaGill) Peterson. Jane married John Sauriol August 11, 1959. He preceded her in death in 2022.

Jane spoke often and fondly of her childhood in Elkhorn, WI, and growing up above the bakery her father owned. She and her friends would stop in the bakery for a donut before going off to play. Lake Geneva, Lake Como and the Lauderdale Lakes were her playgrounds where she would swim in the summer and ice skate in the winter. It was at Lake Como that John first saw Jane and knew he had to meet her. The opportunity presented itself and John asked Jane if she would attend the Walworth County Fair with him. Eleven months later they married. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary just a few months before John passed away.

Together they raised four daughters. They bought their first home in Hoffman Estates, IL and moved to Potters Hollow in Lafayette, IN, in the early 1970's where they lived for 52 years and made many of their lifelong friends. Jane made friends wherever she went. Whenever she mentioned meeting a person for the first time, she always remarked “and, they were so nice.” It never failed. And that was Jane; seeing the best in people and genuinely curious about them. Jane loved to throw parties and dance. She was an excellent cook, who made wonderful home cooked meals for her family like fresh homemade donuts and pizza from scratch. She sewed, knit, making clothing for her daughters and their dolls, and she loved working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She and John also traveled extensively with their daughters. Jane loved to exercise and called her 6 day a week gym workouts her “part-time job.” Although, we know she probably talked more than she exercised. Jane loved her family and friends, but the love of her life was John. She could not throw cards and letters away and had boxes of letters spanning her lifetime. Most of them love letters Jane and John wrote to each other.

Surviving are her daughters: Debra (Larry) Schwartz, Dawn (Peter) Gale , Sally (Lou) Fenoglio, Liz (Herb Rackliff) Sauriol. Also surviving are Jane’s 7 grandchildren & 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and beloved sister, Gloria Rodgers.

Friends may call at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Lafayette, IN from 10:00 AM Until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 11th, Fr. Ted Dudzinski officiating. The interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jane’s memory to the St. Anne’s soup kitchen, 612 Wabash Ave, Lafayette, IN 47905.

Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sauriol family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com