JEAN VOLK

Early on the morning of Sunday, March 5th, 2017, Jean Ann Volk passed away peacefully with her family by her side.  She was 91 years old.

Jean Ann was born October 3rd, 1925 to Anna (Viehweg) Richards and William Richards in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from North Division High School and started her career in bookkeeping with Briggs & Stratton.  

In 1960, she married Donald A. Volk. Both Don and Jean Ann embodied a true and selfless devotion to their marriage that deeply touched the lives of many in the decades to come. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on December 25th, 2015.

Jean Ann took great joy in the birth of her daughters, Jeri and Kristi. She and Donald settled in Neenah WI, where Jean Ann worked tirelessly to support her husband in building a successful business. They say “it takes a village,” and Jean Ann was truly a one-woman village.

Jean Ann touched countless lives through her caring and leadership, and was always working very hard behind the scenes. She was a “roll up your sleeves and get involved” kind of parent, from teaching Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church, to taking girls on overnight camping trips as a Girl Scout Leader. A living example of true grace, her house was always a meeting place for anyone who was hungry or needed a warm welcome.  Jean Ann had a passion for cooking and canning, and many were privileged to enjoy the homemade delicacies that came from her kitchen. She also took great pride in providing her family with a full meal every night at five o'clock, which defined and bonded the family for decades.  Thankfully she found great joy in passing her secrets onto her children and grandchildren, where these traditions are still alive today.  

Jean Ann had an innate passion to stand up for what she believed in and was not afraid to voice her opinion or share her thoughts with others, even at a time when it was rare or discouraged for women to stand up and be heard. Her witty sense of humor, love of fun, and colossal charm touched the lives of many.  One of her greatest pleasures was the joy of anonymous and selfless giving, which continued throughout her life.

Jean Ann's hobbies included antiquing, ceramics and playing bridge. She found extreme joy in the home and life she built with her husband Donald on Long Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where she enjoyed the wildlife and entertaining friends and family. She enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and Florida, and traveling the world with her husband.

Jean Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harold, Orville, Walter, and Billy, her beloved sister Viola (Richards) Polsen, her husband Donald and nephew Michael Polsen.  Jean Ann is survived by her daughters Jeri Volk Barry (Steve) and Kristi Ann Kortbein (Don) and grandchildren, Kevin Donald Barry, Christopher Steven Barry and Katie Ann Kortbein as well as many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks is extended to the staff at Parkview Health Center (Woodside North) in Oshkosh and Island Shores Assisted Living in Neenah for the care they extended to Jean Ann and the entire family.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church Street, Neenah (Doty Street Entrance) on Thursday, March 9th, 2017 at 4:00PM. Her family will receive visitors beginning at 3:00PM and a celebration of Jean's life will follow the service at Greene's Pour House in the upstairs room.

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

“One lifetime was not enough”