Beloved Sailing Coach Passes

Beloved Sailing Coach Passes

Everyone who knew Jan Moldenhauer knew that Jan ALWAYS did things her way!

Jan lived her entire life exactly the way she wanted including her last days on Ahmic Lake where she passed away peacefully on July 29th surrounded by friends who loved her at her favourite place in the world, Camp Ak-O-Mak. 

 Jan's determination, humour and love for those around her made her a long time favourite coach and friend to Camp Ak-O-Mak.   Jan made the annual drive from her home in Oshkosh WI to Ahmic Lake every July for the last 40 years to be at Ak-O-Mak.

Jan met Buck and Rosemary Dawson in 1972 on an airplane returning from the Mexico Olympics where Jan had been judging diving.  That chance meeting forged a deep friendship with the Dawsons and Jan became Ak-O-Mak's all round coach in sailing, diving, tennis and gymnastics.

Chants of "Music Jan!!" by the campers in the Main House would herald Jan to the "stage" to lead the girls in riotous song!  She regularly corrected the groups' manners, annually reminded us on the Fourth of July how our freedom was earned and gave us sage advice at camp fire vespers.

Jan knew that her life was nearing its end.  She knew that she would not be returning to Wisconsin.  She was determined that her last days would be spent enjoying the beautiful view from the Green House porch, sipping her beer in the company of "other crazy camp friends", sharing funny stories, grateful for the time to just be together.

And that is exactly what she did.

Jan always did things her way.

We love you, Jan.  We are all better for having known you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends in Wisconsin