Janet is pictured receiving her award from Jeff Machut of the AmericInn of Madison-South, the 2007 WIA Chairman.

Janet Daniel of St. Germain was named “Employee of the year” by the Wisconsin Innkeeper Association.

  Daniel, who has worked as a housekeeper for the Rustic Manor Motor Lodge in St. Germain for 24 years, received the award at the recent Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show at Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dell.

  Janet and her husband, Jimmy, along with their sons, came to St. Germain from Kankakee, Ill. in 1975.

  They had purchased, in partnership, Elbert’s Resort-18 housekeeping cottages- and a full liquor license.

  “My husband used to come north to fish at Elbert’s,”said Janet, “but I had only been in northern Wisconsin once before. It wasn’t long before I also loved the area. It is exactly what you look for when you want to get out of the city.”

  It was a change for them-Jimmy had worked as a die maker for Olin-Kraft and Janice as a homemaker.

  After six years they severed the partnership, and both Janet and Jimmy went to work for Eliason’s Some Place Else. Janet worked as a waitress, and Jimmy worked as a bartender.

  It was while at the restaurant that she met Chuck and Mary Vogel, who owned the Rustic Manor at the time.

  “It was then I began cleaning the restaurant, plus the rooms at the Rustic Manor.”

  The Rustic Manor has changed ownership twice since Janice began working there.

   “The second owners were Fred and Katherine Braner, and they sold to Northern Hospitality, Inc., owned by Dick and Bonnie Eliason. It is their daughter Diane Misina that runs the operation today: and Kristin Verhulst is the manager.

  When Janet started working there it was a 20-room lodge. The Braner’s added 18 rooms and a pool, and that is the size it has remained.

  “We enjoyed owning our resort and made lifelong friends,” said Janet, “but we have also enjoyed what we have done since. I remained at the lodge and Jimmy now works in construction for Steven Daniel’s Distinctive Designs- they remodel, do roofing, make cabinets, etc.”

  Their sons have also remained in the Northwoods: Jimmy Jr. lives in Sayner; Robert lives in Wausau, Steven lives in St. Germain and Christopher is still at home. Another son, Warren Lee is deceased.

 Janet, along with three other housekeepers, usually works from 9a.m. to 4 p.m., depending upon the number of rooms used. They also have a laundry lady.

  “We have all kinds of guests. Some leave their rooms quite neat, while other rooms look like a bomb went off. We take care of them all.”

  We asked if the guest tipped, for we have found that many seem to forget the housekeepers, and Janet told us that the majority tip and some are quite generous.

  “There is no suggested percentage for tipping housekeeping as there is for servers,” Janet said.  “They leave whatever they want and it is always appreciated.”

   “We have comment cards and the comments are good-the rooms nice and clean and the service great.”

  “I was quite surprised when I learned I was to receive the award. I had planned to be in Green Bay at a bowling tournament on the date, so Kristin had to tell me about it, and said I needed to be at the luncheon.”

  “It was quite an honor and I am very proud of it. I wasn’t seeking any recognition. I just went to work, tried to do a good job, and went home.”

  Janet continues to be content living in northern Wisconsin.

  “I really like the winters in northern Wisconsin. Basically, I ‘m a four-seasons girl.

  “When Jimmy was in the Marines we were stationed in California. We were there through December and January. I found I didn’t like it. I missed winter.”

  Neither she nor Jimmy has any regrets on their move. Janet said you couldn’t talk her into moving back to Kankakee-she loves this area and the people.

  And, she has no plans to retire.

  Joyce Laabs can be reached at features@lakelandtimes.com