Janet (Berg) Badynski, 81, of Carol Stream, IL, died peacefully in Puyallup, WA on 30 January 2012. Beloved wife of Alfred S. Badynski (deceased), cherished daughter of the late Warren T. Berg and Anna (Hughes) Berg, she was born in Belvidere, IL on 7 January 1931, just missing being the 1st child born at Highland Hospital that year by a few hours. She graduated from Belvidere High School and received her Bachelor's degree from Illinois State Normal University, and upon her graduation, embarked on a respected career in teaching at the Lowry School in Elgin, IL. She interrupted her vocation to risk (in those days) the flight to Germany to marry her beloved Alfred, then a sergeant in the US Army and AFN radio announcer. They were happily married for 44 years until his death, as retired Master Sergeant in the Illinois State Police, in 1998. Upon her return to the states, Jan resumed teaching, first at the Brookfield/LaGrange, IL District, in 1958, then for 12 years at the Melrose Park School. She was the District 89 Resource Teacher for 5 years, during which time she earned her Master's in Education from the National College of Education. She then returned to Melrose Park School, as principal, for ten years until her retirement in 1986. During her retirement, she was an election judge for 20 years, was a friendly visitor in area nursing homes and tutored adults in ESL and academics. She actively engaged in research of her family genealogy, and traveled extensively, visiting every state in the Union and every continent on the planet. She was an active member of the Mayflower Society, the Martha Ibbetson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the John Butler chapter of the National Society Daughters of the Union. She was a volunteer and board member of the DuPage Children's Museum from (almost) its inception, and attended the Fellowship Bible Church of Carol Stream. Jan is survived by her sons, Kim "KA" (Carol) of Puyallup, WA, and Kurt (Karen Cotter) of Lincoln, RI, her sister Shirley Brenz of Stoughton, WI, her sister-in-law Joyce Berg of Beloit, WI, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and numerous cousins. She will be missed by her family and her many friends and admirers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in her memory to MultiCare Home Health & Hospice in Tacoma, Washington http://www.multicare.org/home/health-hospice or to the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, Illinois.