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

Jeanne L Voss

September 29, 1943 - October 19, 2023

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