Denise Cross

Denise A. Cross, “NANNIE,” died Jan 8, 2026 peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Born October 8, 1953 in Neenah Wisconsin, she married Gregory R. Cross on July 13, 1972. 

She is survived by their three daughters: DeAnn Klein; Amy (Jeff) Fischer; and Jaime (Scott) Farmer; seven grandchildren: Gregory, Paige (Zach), Kayla (Leo), Zachary, Brenna, Ryan and Emileigh; and two great-grandchildren: Laikyn and Sully, and one due spring of 2026.  She is also survived by her siblings: Joe (Brenda) Wilz; Ted (Ardys) Wilz; Jenny (Mike) Opay; and Lisa Lykins; in-laws: Dan Diehl; Mary (Jim) Larsen; Barney (Diane) Cross; and Robert (Connie) Cross. Further surviving her are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Denise was preceded in death by her father, Jim Wilz, and mother and step father, Donna and Jim Cotter; in-laws, Russell and Bernice Cross; maternal grandparents, Richard and Clara Mahoney; paternal grandparents, Herbert and Helen Wilz; a sister, Julie Reich; a sister-in-law, Christine Diehl; a brother-in-law, Jerry Heidke; a niece, Angela Wilz; nephews: Brian Wilz and Michael Diehl; and a great-nephew, Nicholas Diehl. 

She was affectionately known as Nannie, a name given to her when she became a grandma.  To know her was to love her. She gave herself endlessly to her family and anyone she cared for…

A memorial service for Denise will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Neenah’s Westgor Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Denise’s name.

Mom “Nannie,” We love you, until we meet again…