Josephine Breneman Buchanan

Josephine Breneman Buchanan of Appleton, Wisconsin, died on 27 October 2008. Jo was born on 9 July 1909, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of the late Harry C. and Rita (Oskamp) Breneman.

While attending Vassar College, she met William (Bill) Buchanan, to whom she was introduced by another Josephine, her roommate, Bill Buchanan's sister. Bill, on one of his frequent sales trips east for the Appleton Wire Works, made a side trip to Poughkeepsie NY to visit his sister. After a courtship of suitable length, Jo accepted his proposal of marriage; they were married in Cincinnati on 3 January 1931.

As a young bride in Appleton, Jo quickly wove her life into the fabric of the community. While raising four children, she applied her abundant energy, positive spirit and leadership skill in service to the Fox River Community. She was active in the Infant Welfare Circle of the King's Daughters, and the First Congregational Church, where she served on committees and taught Sunday school. Her work as a nurse's aide in St. Elisabeth Hospital during the world war kindled an interest in health care. She was a founder and charter member of the Community Blood Center, and was active in the startup of Appleton Memorial Hospital (now AMC) where she later became a Board chairperson. AMC celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this year.

Jo proved herself to be practical, wise and caring. Friends and family valued her openmindedness and friendly, flexible nature which drew her to have warm interactions with people in all walks of life. She was a generous supporter of many institutions in the Valley. She maintained bonds with family and friends by her regular correspondence, writing to her widowed mother weekly for many years.

A natural athlete, Jo excelled at tennis which she forsook to take up golf, a sport Bill enjoyed. She held several club championships at both Riverview and North Shore Golf Clubs. She was also an avid baseball and football fan, rooting for the Appleton Papermakers (now Timber Rattlers), the Milwaukee Braves (now Brewers), and the Green Bay Packers. Jo's ability to walk on her hands well into middle age became a family legend.

Jo and Bill lived in the Fox River Valley most of their married life, though after Bill's retirement they spent more time at their home at the Country Club of Florida near Delray Beach. They enjoyed several golf holidays in Scotland, and relished playing golf courses throughout the United States with their many golfing friends.

Survivors include three children and their spouses: Charles and Charlotte Buchanan of Glenmont NY, Jean and William Vitalis of Cornwall CT, and Robert and Bonnie Buchanan of Appleton WI; eleven grandchildren: Michael Buchanan of Mountain View CA, Douglas Buchanan of Arroyo Grande CA, David Buchanan of East Greenbush NY, Clare Buchanan Lowery of Watsonville CA, Jensen Buchanan-Gores of Beverly Hills CA, Amy Breneman Buchanan of Encinitas CA, William N. Vitalis of Shipman VA, Rita Vitalis of Sharon CT, S. Gustavus Buchanan of Burlington VT, Philip Buchanan of Portland OR, and Emily Buchanan Lehto of Appleton WI; and twenty-one great grandchildren: Nicholas and Courtney Buchanan, children of Michael Buchanan; Blake, Sophia, Conner and Josephine Buchanan, children of Douglas Buchanan; Alexei, Charles, William and Ian, children of David Buchanan; Kailas and Luke, children of Clare Buchanan Lowery; Angus and Conner Gray, children of Jensen Buchanan-Gores; Ishvara, child of William N. Vitalis; Joseph and Luke Vitalis, children of Rita Vitalis; Gwyneth and Iris, children of Gustavus Buchanan; Zoey Buchanan, child of Philip Buchanan; and Sydney and Robert Lehto, children of Emily Buchanan Lehto. She is also survived by a sister Charlee Breneman Blaine.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, Bill Buchanan in 1993, by her son William E. Buchanan Jr. in 1991, and by her sister Betty Breneman Ames.

The family extends its deep appreciation to both the staff of Brewster Village who supported her for three years, and to Robin Schuler who cared for Jo with a great love over fifteen years as Jo's Alzheimer's progressed.

An interment service will be conducted for the family at a later date. Memorials in Jo's name may be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 East South River Street, Appleton, WI 54915.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior St.
Appleton 739-1231
Online Condolences:
www.wichmannfargo.com