Janice Ella Smith Hunsader, 85 passed gently in her sleep on February 16, 2024, after a short battle of Lymphoma cancer. She was born July 11, 1938, to Elmer and Dorothy Smith in the small-town Horicon, Wisconsin, just North of Milwaukee. Soon thereafter the family moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where Jan attended and graduated from Lincoln High School and then graduated from Holy Family Nursing School in Manitowoc and earned her Nursing Degree. During this time, Janice met the love of her life–Paul Julian Hunsader who was a local dairy farmer and were married on February 6, 1960.
Paul together with his two brothers, Robert and Donald, who all worked the family farm, decided in 1967 to sell the farm, pack up everything they all had and move to Florida. The move to Bradenton proved to be a difficult challenge, yet the Hunsader's persevered with hard work and determination – creating: Hunsader Brothers Inc., a commercial tomato business in Manatee County.
Janice and Paul Hunsader were very active Members of St. Joseph Catholic Church and well-known Pillars in the Bradenton community for their ongoing charitable contributions. Janice was a Life member and President (1989-1990) of Entre Nous Club of Manatee County. Playing tennis and attending the US Open every year, snowmobiling, jet skiing, enjoying her beach house on Anna Maria Island, quilting, scrapbooking, riding her bike on Longboat Key, traveling the world, (Alaska was her favorite place) and spending time with her 10 grandkids kept her happily busy.
Jan spent the years following Paul's death in 2015 promoting political campaigns and voter registration for the Republican Party. She could often be seen on busy roadsides and street corners wearing her MAGA tennis shoes waving flags promoting her favorite political candidates and volunteering at the local election voter booths. She was also a member of the Republican Club of Manatee County and Tea Party of Manatee and attended meetings regularly.
Janice is survived by her 4 beloved children: Steve (Patti), and their children, Alex and Grant; Eric and his daughters, Ella, Tatum, Eden and Lilly; daughter, Cindy Quinn (Tom Parry) and their children, Brighton and Garrett LaFlamme; and Peter (Mari Little) and their children, Kourtney and Joshua. Other close living family members include: her beloved sister, Judy (Al) Sweeting; brother, Dan Smith (Joan). Her sisters-in-law, Joyce (Ann and Ken) and Connie Hunsader (Mike, Cathy, Linda, Mary Jo and David) and their families.
The family will privately gather in a celebration of her life at Sarasota Memorial National Cemetery where Janice will be placed next to Paul for eternity. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations may be made to your favorite charity or organization, in her memory.
FUNERAL HOME
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory (43rd St. Chapel) - Bradenton
604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, Florida
