Jeanne L Voss

Jeanne L Voss

September 29, 1943 - October 19, 2023

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Obituary

MADISON - Sadly, Jeanne Lucille Voss passed away on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. She was a breast cancer survivor but, unfortunately this time, the cancerous tumor could not be tamed.


Jeanne was born on Sept. 29, 1943, in Madison, to Lyle Henry Voss and Alice Mae (Arneson) Voss. She grew up on her beloved near east side and she and her siblings took advantage of all that the Isthmus had to offer. She attended Lincoln Elementary on Gorham Street and graduated from Central High School, Class of 1961, and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She was grateful for the faith-based teaching she received at St. John’s Lutheran Church on East Washington Avenue and leaned on it throughout her life.


Twenty-one first cousins were related to Jeanne, and she adored them all. The Arneson cousins, especially, enjoyed getting together, to reminisce about the many childhood family gatherings and celebrations on their grandparents, Ole and Naomi Arneson's, dairy farm at the western edge of Barneveld. The farm was a constant buzz of activity, but Jeanne thought there was nothing more fun than sauntering downtown, Lonnie and Sue Ann in the lead, stopping by the General Store where Mr. Donahue would scoop towering ice cream cones for a mere nickel! The cousins were all extremely proud of their Norwegian heritage.


After graduation from college, Jeanne followed her two younger sisters, Jerilyn and Judy, to Denver, Colo. There she began a teaching career of 33 years with the Denver Public School System. She found her niche in educating young people and enjoyed the challenges presented in an elementary classroom. A long-ago student, Sumai, remained friends and was treated like family the entirety of her life.


Most certainly, Jeanne, was convinced that serendipity brought her many loved and wonderfully devoted Mile High friends, family and community together for an inherent reason. They experienced joy, sorrow and the very best of the best of times together in the thriving metropolis of Denver. She cherished their lifelong friendships and loved them with every fiber of her being.


Not wanting to miss out on special occasions, after retirement she chose to return to Madison to be with her own treasured family. Beyond measure, she loved her mom and dad - brother, Jim, and sisters, Jerilyn, Judy and Barbie Jane, as well as her loving nieces and nephews. It gave her great pleasure to have them gathered around her dinner table, generously sprinkled with lively conversation and more laughter than one can imagine. Rarely a day went by in her life, without having a conversation with her brother and sisters!


She was truly grateful for so many of life's pleasures . . . vintage State Street, Concerts on the Square, treks around the Square on Saturday morning Farmers' Market with Barbie Jane, the ringing of church bells, calls of the common loon, the sheer majesty of Vail Valley, Colo., the beauty and quiet of the Northwoods in Mercer, Wis., gin martinis (dirty), antiques, flip phones and land lines, pumpkin pie piled high with Reddi Whip and early morning meditative walks, especially around Washington Park, Denver, Lido Beach, Sarasota and Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds. On Sunday, she would sip coffee, read the Wisconsin State Journal and The New York Times and most likely watch a little football.  


Jeanne is survived by her brother, Jim Voss; sisters, Jerilyn Voss and Barbara (Allen Ruid) Voss-Ruid. She is further survived by her nieces and nephews extraordinaire, whom she loved more than life, Lida Mae, Chapel Hill, N.C., Erik (Amy), Houston, Texas, Bill (Susanna), Spokane, Wash., Nicola (Mike), Bakersfield, Calif., Christine (Jeff), Thousand Oaks, Calif., Heidi, Redondo Beach, Calif., Kelly (Kefri), Bakersfield, Calif., Michelle (Robert), Madison, Wis., Madeline, New York City, N.Y., Tessa, Milwaukee, Wis., and Mark Seiler, Chapel Hill, N.C.; and an aunt, Lynn Voss in Green Lake, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Alice Voss; sister, Judy; sister-in-law, Lois Bjornstad Voss; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.


At Jeanne's request there will be no formal memorial service. If you wish, enjoy an early morning meditative walk in her memory.


We will carry her memory in our hearts forever.


The family wishes to thank the staff at SSM Hospice and St. Mary’s Hospital for their wonderful care to Jeanne. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420



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KM
Katie Neubauer & Tim Manikowski
Other •
Jeanne was my upstairs neighbor for the last three years, and a kinder, more generous person I have yet to meet. Jeanne often left cupcakes and sweet notes for Tim and I at our doorstep. She thanked us often for participating in our condo board. She asked nearly every day about our horses and loved to remark on our dear dog, Neecie when we crossed paths in the hallway. It was clear that Jeanne was a lifelong learner who was curious and interested in the world around her. I will miss her laugh, watching her pass by in her car on her way to her morning walk and coffee, and stopping to chat with her on the stairs about anything and everything. Hugs dear Jeanne! You are missed!
KH
Kelly Hierlmeier
Other •
Aunt Jeanne, I'm so very heartbroken that we will never again receive one of your amazing care packages or cards in the mail with your gorgeous handwriting and perfectly selected stickers placed all over. Everything about you was caring, generous, and thoughtful of other people. You had a sense of humor I will not soon forget that I know will live on with Barbie and my Mom... But we'll never quite have it right without you. Your memory will live eternally in my heart as someone who was like a Mother to me more than an Aunt, a grandmother to my babies, an adventurous, kindred spirit that I always adored and admired. I'll always think about you when I visit Denver. I'll always remember our last night in Madison with Martinis and dollar bills for the kids... They thought that was a hoot! You knew just how to share joy and make people feel loved. Thank you for everything. We love you and we'll miss you, Aunt Jeanne xoxo Kelly, Kef, Cash & Indah
JL
judy Laza
Other •
My best friend in the whole wide world I loved her so much We met in the 1970
AS
Aly Shanks
Other •
To the entire, and I mean ENTIRE, Voss and extended family...Buddy, my husband, and I, Aly Shanks, are soooo so sad for your loss. You truly had one of thee good ones. God bless you all and we send many heart felt blessings to each and every one of you. My mom, Gigi, and Jeanne, taught school in the DPS system for I'm not sure how many years together. They loved each other like sisters and were fun young women finding their way in life...I wished I were a fly on many a wall when those two girls got together...I can only imagine!...I think they met as they were both starting their teaching careers and I must have been just a toddler (since I was born in 1961)... Gigi left DPS but throughout the years Jeanne and Gigi kept in touch, saw each other some in the early days, but as time and distance separated them, they kept in touch on the infamous land line! As a young woman, when I'd be visiting Gigi and Jeanne would call, I'd hear it in my moms voice the joy of when two long time friends chat after a long silence, Jeanne would say 'hello Mizz Wood' (that was my maiden name and Gigi was long divorced from my dad and was Mrs Flick by then, but the Miss Wood name stuck), and my mom would say, 'hello Mizz Voss'...and off on their conversation they would go...afterward my mom would tell me all the fun things they did when they were younger--trips to Mexico, to Catalina Island and many a many evening spent talking together over dirty martinis! Fast forward to 2003, and my husband Buddy and I were riding our bicycles across the US from Oregon to Maine and Wisconsin was right in the middle on our route. Gigi was driving our sag wagon on that stretch and Gigi called Jeanne and somewhere around Wisconsin Dells, Jeanne drove up to meet the intrepid cyclists and her long lost friend. We rented 2 hotel rooms for the night and I don't think Gigi and Jeanne slept at all that night...they had a lot to catch up on...I remember Buddy and I were drunk with gifts Jeanne brought us knowing we'd need Wisconsin snacks to keep us pedaling...our favorite was the fresh cheese curds she brought us. From that trip onward, Buddy and I became fans and friends of Jeanne's keeping in touch and sharing emails and gifts over the years. In 2007 Jeanne loved that Buddy and I lived in an old condemned train boxcar when we were 1st married, so sent us one of her favorite books she used to read to her students 'The Boxcar Children'. We have since been 'The Boxcar Children'! Sadly my dear mother, Gigi passed away last October and it was Jeanne I turned to for solace and support as I have no sisters, cousins or aunts to lean on. She was so good at cheering me up and making me feel better with all her love and comforting wisdom and guidance. Now I've lost them both. I am sad for those of us who have lost her, but am so proud to have called her a friend. I hope she and Gigi are having dirty martinis together. I know all of you have the same broken heart as I. We miss you Jeanne Lucille Marie Louise! God bless you. With much love, Aly and Buddy Shanks.
SP
Sheryl Prentice
Other •
Jeanne-she NEVER aged. She was ALWAYS beautiful in her ways and of course, on the outside too. Her vivaciousness was infectious and I learned every time from being around her. “Class -Act”. I’m blessed to have known Jeanne. Her Christmas card, my favorite to receive; I’ll miss her style of sending warm wishes and updates. Love you-BEAUTIFUL Jeanne.💔❤️
CS
Cynde Schneider
Other •
I've put off posting my feelings for my best friend. It is a jolting loss for me. Jeannie wrote her own guide book on life. Your mention of her Denver friends is spot on. I was one of them. When I left Denver to return to southern Calif., Jeanne moved back to Wisconsin. The distance did not matter. We've remained close all these years. She spoke of her family often and with so much love. I have to say, her stories were priceless. Jeanne and Alvin came to my wedding in Beverly Hills. She forgot to pack the pants to Alvin's suit. He wasn't a happy camper. There was a department store 1 block away from their hotel. The rest was history. Then there was the time she and I went to Hawaii. We were at the Kahala Hilton bar. They had a small dance floor. Arthur Murray and his wife were there. Both of us had a turn on the floor w/Arthur! I love you to the moon Jeanne. 💛 Thank heaven for the memories of our travels together to Vail, Aspen and Hawaii. Jean and Alvin and Hal and I had the time of our young lives in Denver.

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