Janet Waterkotte
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 College, 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 Anyone who knew Janet would know that her love for Notre Dame superseded all else, except the love she had for her family and friends.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.
I send my very deepest condolences to the entire Waterkotte family on the loss of Janet, closely followed by her brother jim’s passing, I had her as a teacher many years ago and always found her to be a fair and awesome instructor, as much as I despised Math, she made learning fun and challenging! She and my mother were active in the union together. I pray God provide you all with the strength required in the days and weeks ahead, Heaven certainly gained some amazing Angels this week, our loss is His gain. All glory to God! I do hope your many wonderful and amazing memories bring you comfort. Rest in peace Janet! Teresa
Dear Jerry, I am shocked to see that both Janet and Jim have passed this week. My heart goes out to you and the Waterkotte family. May they rest in peace together. I pray for God’s comfort and healing for you. We all spent so many years growing up right next door – so many memories. With deepest sympathy. Mary Dierkes Cary
I am so sorry to hear of Janet and Jim’s passing. I will be thinking of you all during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear this, she was one of my favorite teachers. May her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.
Jerry,
May the Lord bless you and keep you during this trying time of the passing of two of your siblings; Janet and Jim. I have always thought highly of your family. You were all so loyal and loving to one another. Quite the Family and such an honorable example of what that means. Janet so loved her family.
Janet was my best teacher friend during my 15 years of teaching in the Quincy Public Schools. She was my defender from my first month of teaching to when I left for Colorado. We were good friends. She went with my students and me on one of my trips to Germany. She ran the track at QHS with me after school and we joined Aerobics together for a few years. Cowboy dancing, waterskiing and swimming. were a few of our “let’s get fit” activities we did together. I got to spend some time with her family and her brothers, who always let me have some of their garden tomatoes. We enjoyed a free week-long stay in Maine
one summer. Together we decided to eat lobster every day and we did! I also enjoyed her visits to Colorado. Janet was such a kind, loving, caring, honest and faithful friend. Whenever I came to visit my family in Quincy, we got together. What a lovely family upbringing they had. The Lord Jesus has definitly blessed this family!!!
What a sad occurrence that Janet and Jim pass within a few days of each other. Both were dedicated to their family and were honorable people. Janet had a great reputation as a teacher and, like Jim, was fair minded and honest. May Janet rest in peace.
Our condolences to the family for it’s double-loss.
Mike and Barb Hutmacher
I fondly remember Ms. Waterkotte as my math teacher in 1984 when I was a sophomore at Quincy Senior High.
We had a couple running jokes which always brightened my day.