Jeannine Ann Bultman

Jeannine Bultman, 89, passed away on the morning of March 15th, 2025 in Appleton, WI. She was born on March 27, 1935 to Arthur and Beulah (Bobbie) Williams in Madison, Wisconsin.

The eldest of four children, she was a devoted sister and was deeply passionate about her family. When her younger sister, Nancy, succumbed to polio at thirteen and her younger brother was diagnosed with the disease. Jeannine supported her family through this hardship, becoming a beloved mother figure for her youngest sister, Cherie. The two shared a unique bond, lovingly referring to each other as MOS (Much Older Sister) and MYS (Much Younger Sister), which perfectly described their loving relationship (and amusingly opposite personalities) both in their teen years and for the many years after.

In August of 1956, Jeannine married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, Dale Bultman, with whom she had three sons: David, Michael, and Kenneth. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she returned to school to obtain her accounting degree while raising her three rambunctious boys and managing a family move to Appleton, Wisconsin, eventually graduating from UW-Oshkosh in 1979.

Later in life, Jeannine was confronted with the death of her beloved husband, taken too soon from cancer after forty years of marriage. In Dale’s absence, she demonstrated unwavering strength and commitment to her family, serving as a source of inspiration for all who knew her.

There were few things Jeannine loved more than being the matriarch of her family. She made time each year for annual back to school clothes shopping, and made sure the Williams’ sweet tooth was always satiated, keeping homemade cookies and favorite candies always at the ready. She was a constant presence at her family’s plays and performances, and hosted countless sleepovers for her grandchildren.

Jeannine is survived by a long legacy of those she leaves behind: her sister, Cherie Williams and sister-in-law, Carol Williams; her sons, David (Bethany) Bultman, daughter-in-law Kathy Bultman, Michael (Karen) Bultman, and Kenneth (Sarah) Bultman; her grandchildren, Laura (Scott) MacDonald, Lisa (Brad Poling) Bultman, Fale (Mandi) Afoa, Kyle Bultman, Katie (Josh Pitcock) Bultman, Marissa Bultman, and Christian Bultman; her great-grandchildren, Oliver, Lola, Koa, Luana, Leilani, Henry, Benz, and Landon; her nieces and nephews, Bob (Pam) Williams, Kelly (Jim) Jazdzewski, Lindsey (Joe) Schmitz, and Haley Riemer; as well as countless in-laws and lifelong friends who will miss her every day.

Jeannine was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, her parents, Art and Bobbie, her sister, Nancy Williams, and her brother, John Williams. We take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with all of those she has held so dear.

A prayer service for Jeannine will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2330 East Calumet Street in Appleton, with visitation beginning at 6:00 pm. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd. in Madison, WI at 11:00 am. Friends and loved ones are welcome to gather beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday and internment will take place at Blooming Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Prince of Peace’s WELCA or Carbone Cancer Center UW Madison. Jeannine's family would like to thank the friends and staff at the Heritage for the compassionate care they have given her over the years.