"Diane Ellringer Woodward I remember her coming with Bob or maybe it was Dale to the Ellringer Family Reunions. She looks so much like her Mom Dorothy."
In loving memory of
Jane Ann Raphael
May 29, 1929 - July 6, 2020
Jane Ann Raphael of Winona, passed peacefully in her sleep Monday, July 6, 2020 at Callista Court, Ava Maria Place, Winona, MN. She had been living there for the past two months.
Jane was born May 29, 1929 in Winona to Dorothy (Burbach) and Maurice Welch. She attended Cathedral School, graduating in 1947. She worked at the movie theater making popcorn and then various small restaurants in Winona over the years.
On June 18, 1947, Jane married the love of her life, Carl Julius Raphael. They raised their 5 beloved daughters and several pets over their 50 years together, until Carl passed in 1997. Camping and traveling were a huge part of their lives together. Belonging to camping clubs including "The Sugar Loafer's," "Coachmen's," and "The Lazy One's." Visiting all 50 states. Winters were spent in Texas, returning home after the snow was gone. In the years after Carl's passing, she continued to travel internationally. Visiting such places as Ireland and Europe.
Jane was very talented and crafty. Making clothing for herself and her daughters as well as crocheting and knitting for her children and grandchildren. She always kept busy with one craft or another and was always thinking of others. She baked and decorated many wedding and anniversary cakes for family and friends. In her later years she enjoyed knitted baby sweater sets (several hundred) and donating them to "Bundles of Love". A lifelong member of Cathedral, she often sent out birthday cards for the parishioners and helped at many of the church events. Even at the end she felt she needed to help her family make masks because of Covid.
She was best known for her big smile and wonderful hugs. The strength and courage she possessed got her through many trials and tribulations that came with raising her girls. She would tell anyone she met that after helping raise 4 little brothers she prayed for God to give her a little girl, quickly followed by "Be careful what you pray for!" She showed unconditional love and kindness to all. Jane touched so many lives and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have known her.
Jane is survived by her 5 daughters, Chris Beirne (Rich), Cyndi (Charlie Heins) Spalding, Diane Urbick, Carla (Jerry) Bruss and Laurie (Dan Logan) Raphael; her brothers, Dale (Janett) Welch, Jim (Pat) Welch and Dick (Ellie) Welch; her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Putz and Helen Raphael; 14 grandchildren, Bruce, Shelly, Charles, Sam, Michelle, Mark, Marie, MaryJo, McKayla, Tim, Ben, Nick, Adam and Allie; 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; as well as many other family and friends-too many to mention by name but you all know how you are.
Preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl; both of her parents, Dorothy and Maurice as well as her parents by marriage, Margaret and Julius Raphael; granddaughter, Deena; her brother, Bob; brothers and sisters-in law, John, Anna, Louise, Joan and Peggy; and many other family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of Mass. A private family gathering at graveside, St. Mary's Cemetery will be held at a later date. Due to current conditions with the Covid virus all attendees will be required to wear a mask. Please leave a memory of Jane and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Dick,Ellie and the family, very sorry for your loss. "
"Jane was a great travel partner to my mom, Lu. I got to know her when we traveled by train to Holden Village in WA. She was a wonderful kind woman. I loved her adventurous spirit. May your memories bring you peace."
"I met Jane through Lu LaFavor, my mom. She was easy to be with and full of kindness. This is a link to a hymn that made me think of Jane today. https://youtu.be/mG1i5oCfLjI Peace, Jeanne Heer "
"I was so privileged to know Jane and able to work with her on the Birthday Card Ministry and Angels Store. She was always so kind and everything with a smile. God Bless!"
"I always enjoyed my visits with Aunt Jane in the mornings on her way to Cathedral for Mass. She\'d park her scooter at Lake Park and walk to service. I would see her as I was tending the flower beds there and she always took time to stop and visit with me. Joe and I send our love to all of you and thought so fondly of Aunt Jane. Peace and our love be with you all, Kara and Joe Welch"
"Chris and the rest of Jane?s family, you have my sympathy. I so enjoyed Jane?s company and her wonderful knitting when we visited at Bundles of Love. Prayers for you as you will miss Jane, a kind, cheerful and caring lady."
"Laurie, Chris and all of your families, our heartfelt sympathies are with you for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful person! May she Rest In Peace."
"Diane: my sympathy and prayers to you and your sisters. I remember your mom as a lovely person. From your old Huff Street neighbor and Lincoln School classmate....."
"Chris: On behalf of your Cotter \'67 classmates, we send you our sympathy and prayers for comfort. You are so fortunate to have your Mom for so many years. May God Bless you & your family."
"My deepest sympathies for the entire family, especially my cousin Laurie, who I graduated with from Winona Senior High School. My dad was so looking forward to playing dice with his sister again after not being able to see her for the past two months. Whenever we got together as a family, I always enjoyed Jane\'s laugh and happy smile. Knowing my dad, I\'m astounded that she survived being a big sister to those four Welch boys!"
"Jane was truly a gift. She was my husband?s baby sitter(Dave Lejk), she was the first person to welcome to Cathedral Parish & the rest is history. Rest now, your jobs are done. "