Jonel Rae Ankrum

Jonel Rae Ankrum

Jonel Rae (Nieland) Ankrum, 82, passed away on April 29, 2022, at home in Appleton, Wisconsin, with her family by her side. She was born on December 8, 1939, in Blairstown, Iowa, the daughter of Lester and Viola (Wisgerhof) Nieland. Jonel moved to Appleton in 2018 to be near family after residing in Houston, Texas, for the past 25 years. Prior to Texas, she lived in Beloit, Wisconsin, for 31 years. Jonel served as a nurse after graduating from UW Rock County. Previously, she was an elementary school teacher following her graduation from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She was a life-long member of PEO. Jonel married Charles Ankrum on June 29, 1963, in Marengo, Iowa. She loved spending time with her 4 granddaughters, walking, shopping, making cards, painting, reading and traveling. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert. She will always be admired for her incredible strength and resilience, and will be remembered as one of the strongest women we have been blessed to know and love.

Happy Mother’s Day in heaven Mom! We love and miss you!

Husband: Charles Ankrum; children: Christopher (Quinn) Ankrum, Matthew (Maury) Ankrum, Melody (Joe) Lewis; grandchildren: Peyton, Morgan, Pierce and Claire.

Jonel was preceded in death by: parents: Lester and Viola Nieland; brother: Robert Nieland

A Celebration of Life service will be held in June 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org).