Jean A. Wegner

Jean Wegner died on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at the age of 90, having just celebrated her 70^th wedding anniversary to husband, Chuck, a few weeks prior. Jean was born in Sioux City, Iowa to parents Llelvan (Perry) and Thomas Hollenbeck, Sr. Her father died tragically when Jean was eight years old, a loss she felt her entire life.

Jean met, and fell in love with Chuck, at Iowa State University. They married in 1951 and started their married life in Somerville, New Jersey, then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, then Dallas, Texas, and finally settled in Appleton, Wisconsin where she and Chuck lived for the past 57 years.

Jean was an accomplished painter and poet. In 2015 she published her book of poems, Poetry in Slow Motion: Navigating Parkinson’s Disease, chronicling her many years of fighting this dreadful disease with spirit and tenacity.

Jean was past president of Appleton Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a hospice volunteer and delivered for “Meals on Wheels” for many years. She was an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ for over 50 years, and was a member of the Charity Circle of King’s Daughters.

She loved her many activities, including Basement Theater, Attic Theater, Fortnightly group, bridge, art classes, fishing, her many trips with Chuck, and spending time with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed collecting shells, golfing, and playing Mahjong in her beloved Naples, Florida.

Her greatest joy was her “girls” Kathy, Julie (Mark), Martha (John), Susan, and Elizabeth. She loved and was so proud of her grandchildren Penny, Meredith, Dylan, Cole, Christine, David, Ellen, Charlie, and Hannah, as well as great-grandsons Hayden, Jameson, and Bridger.

She was preceded in death by her parents Llelvan and Tom Sr, as well as her brother Thomas Hollenbeck, Jr.

A memorial service for Jean will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E South River St., Appleton, WI  with continued fellowship following the memorial service. Please be prepared to show proof of vaccination. Masks may be required. A livestream of the memorial service will be available at 1:30 PM via wichmannfuneralhomes.com through Jean’s obituary page.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Jean’s name may be sent to: Wisconsin Parkinson Association. 16655 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 330. Brookfield, WI 53005.  www.wiparkinson.org

Special thanks to all the staff at Touchmark in Appleton, Wisconsin, for all the loving care they provided in her final years.

Jean’s family would like to express their appreciation for the love and care shown to Jean by the Admiral and Grande staff at Touchmark.