Jane Kulich Remembered: Waukesha Christmas Parade Victim

WAUKESHA, WI — Jane Kulich, 52, was one of the five people who died when an SUV rammed through the crowd of the Waukesha Christmas parade on Sunday. At least 48 others were injured, according to police.

A GoFundMe set up for Kulich's family described her as "a loving, beautiful and charismatic mother, grandmother and friend to so many." In the aftermath of Kulich's death, friends, family and coworkers remembered her.

"The world is a much darker place without a woman like this in the world," reads the GoFundMe page for Kulich's family organized by Shannon Calhoun.

Here's what else members of the community have said about Kulich:

Friends, Family

The GoFundMe posted for Kulich's family said among the many innocent people injured or killed, "one of those lives is that of Jane."

"With a very heavy heart I ask anyone & everyone to keep the family of Jane in their thoughts & prayers," Calhoun posted to Facebook Monday alongside a link to the GoFundMe. "Jane and Taylor have felt like family for longer than I can remember. They were our neighbors, our best friends and Jane was always like a second mom to me."

Related:

• The Latest: Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy
• SUV Driver Faced Previous Charges: DA
• Waukesha Parade Deaths: How To Help
• Gov. Evers Orders Flags At Half-Staff
• 10 Kids In Intensive Care After Parade
• Photos: SUV Slams Into Waukesha Christmas Parade
  

"There's no words. It's so unreal. My mom was killed lastnight. We are told she didn't suffer. Thank God. I'm so grateful I got to have her this long, but damn. She was walking in the parade lastnight. She was so happy. I love you mom. Rest in peace my beautiful angel," Taylor Smith, Kulich's daughter, posted on Facebook Monday.

The LinkedIn account for Jane Kulich described her as "a very hard worker who enjoys helping others." The account shows Kulich was most recently an employee of Citizens Bank. Prior to that, she was a production assistant, a caregiver, and for three years, her profile says she was a server at Dave's Restaurant.

Coworkers, Employers

In a statement posted to Facebook Tuesday, Dave's Restaurant in Waukesha said it "lost one of our own at the horrific incident during the parade."

"Jane Kulich was a long-time employee of our establishment and most likely served you breakfast or lunch," the statement said. "Our hearts and those of her family are heavy with the loss of Jane"

Citizens Bank, where Kulich was most recently employed, posted a statement on Sunday to Twitter: "Our group was among many impacted in Waukesha tonight. Please lift up our team, the first responders, and our entire community tonight."

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.