Janet C. Waterkotte, age 81, of Quincy, died Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Sunset Home. She was born February 14, 1945, in Quincy, the daughter of Robert and Carlene (Welchert) Waterkotte. She was a 1963 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame, a 1967 graduate of Quincy University, and received her Masters degree in 1973 from the University of Notre Dame. Janet was a longtime parishioner of St. John the Baptist and later St. Francis parishes.

Professionally, Janet was a dedicated and revered math teacher for more than 35 years at both Quincy Junior and Senior High School. She had a natural gift for numbers and a true passion as an educator, guiding countless students through the principles of higher math with patience and care. After retiring from the classroom, she continued her lifelong commitment to education as a leader in the local teacher’s union and as a tutor and mentor at both Quincy University and John Wood Community College.

Personally, Janet deeply cherished the University of Notre Dame because of the lifelong friendships she made with her graduate school classmates. She often traveled with her friends for football games in South Bend and beyond. Anyone who knew Janet would know that her love for Notre Dame superseded all else, except the love she had for her family and friends. Janet was truly devoted to her family and treasured the relationships she built with each generation over the years. She was also blessed with numerous friends throughout her life and was known for her unwavering loyalty and devotion to them. She was a friend who could always be counted on through good times and bad.

At the time of her passing, Janet was survived by: Her brother Gerald ‘Jerry’ Waterkotte of Quincy and her brother James ‘Jim’ Waterkotte who joined her in Heaven 4 days later on July 30, 2026.
Nephews and niece: Erik (Emmy) of Cincinnati, OH; Todd Waterkotte of Phoenix, AZ; and Katie Vitale of Beardstown, IL
Grandnephew and nieces: Thomas James ‘TJ’ Waterkotte, Anna Waterkotte, Isabella Vitale, Gabriella Vitale, and Hayley Cox, and Goddaughter Mary Butler as well as numerous cousins and other relatives.

Janet was also preceded in death by her parents, Robert ‘Bob’ and Carlene; her brother, John; her sister-in-law Sharon and her niece, Amy Waterkotte.

Visitation will be held Friday evening, August 7, 2026 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8, at 9:30 a.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral
Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Quincy Catholic Elementary School
Foundation (Q.C.E.S.) for a scholarship to be established in Janet’s name, or to the Janet Waterkotte Scholarship at Quincy Notre Dame. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.