Spotlight: Crew members praise church kitchen queen

By Ben Bromley / News Republic

In times of grief, families turn to the pastor to nourish their souls. It's up to the church basement ladies to feed their bodies.

For 10 years Jan Accola has headed the kitchen crew at Emanuel United Methodist Church in Baraboo. She's the unheralded dynamo who sees to it that funeral luncheons fill bellies and ease minds.

"It's one of those jobs that I think goes unrecognized," said Beverly Vertein, a member of Accola's kitchen crew. "The family is just relieved that they don't have to worry about it."

Vertein was among the crew members who nominated Accola for a recent Wisconsin State Journal contest. In honor of the musical "Church Basement Ladies" opening in Madison, the newspaper recognized kitchen volunteers across the region. Accola didn't win, but her name was printed in the Aug. 10 edition as a nominee.

Accola's crew felt recognition of her efforts was overdue. "She does a job that a lot of people would not want," said Rhoda Barden, who also nominated Accola. "I really give her credit for doing all this."

Accola deflects praise back to her crew, which includes a few men and several women. "I could not do it without all the help I have in the kitchen," Accola said.

The process begins when Accola is informed the church will be hosting a funeral luncheon. She buys ingredients for the meal. She lines up volunteers to set up the fellowship hall, serve the meal and clean up afterward. She calls on the United Methodist Women to bring salads and desserts. "Usually when they hear my voice, they know it's a funeral coming," she said.

Even with all the help, it's two days' worth of work. Plus, Accola handles many duties herself, cutting vegetables, brewing coffee and making sandwiches. She also takes pride in presentation. "I'm very fussy about how the table looks when we get the food out there," Accola confessed. "I want it to look nice."

Barden noted that Accola quietly washes the church's dish towels at home and cleans out the fridge. "She's a great organizer, and that's what it takes," Barden said.

Accola has attended Emanuel for 65 years. She's a member of the church's quilting group and the United Methodist Women, and is a former administrative board member and Sunday school secretary.

Friends marvel at the 77-year-old's schedule, which includes gardening, taking senior fitness classes, volunteering at Circus World Museum and walking 5 miles a day. "I don't sit around much," Accola said. "When night comes, I'm tired."

Accola spent 42 years in banking, retiring 16 years ago. About 10 years ago, the church needed someone to organize a funeral luncheon, and Accola accepted the call. "I've been at it since," she said.

Over time she has developed a system: She knows it's best to make 1.5 sandwiches per guest expected, and that there are eight servings in a pound of potato salad. She comparison shops to find the best prices.

Accola said she enjoys the sense of accomplishment after a luncheon, knowing she uplifted a family during a difficult time. She also enjoys working with her crew. "We're laughing quite a bit," she said. "You put some of those characters in a room, and you have a good time."