Jane A. Reffke

Jane Reffke, 77, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

Jane was born on September 24, 1940 to Leonard and Elva (Ford) Hamilton in Wilmington, Delaware. On September 24, 1976 she was united in marriage to William Reffke Jr. Jane enjoyed cardinals, going on trips to the casino, cooking and baking. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the time they spent together will always be cherished, especially the times spent at the cottage up north.

Jane began life in Wilmington Delaware, 6th child of 8, to Leonard and Elva Hamilton. The stories of her strict but loving upbringing helped explained much of how Jane conducted all the years of her life, family was everything. Though her life continued in Wisconsin after her first marriage and she made this state her home, her heart was in Delaware. When Jane would visit home(Delaware) she always came back more early stories of her early life, an accent and saltwater taffy. She was intelligent, an avid reader, had a great sense of humor, somewhat shy and reserved, naive, strong, private and a lady(just like Gramma Hamilton). If you asked her if she was happy, really happy, she would say, “I can’t complain, I have everything I need.”

Jane had a gift of making people at ease, accepting of who they were at face value, drawing them into conversation easily, and intently listening to what they had to say, eager to share her own stories and thoughts. People were drawn to her, complete strangers would strike up conversations, her kids friends would sit for hours talking with Jane, she just had that face and that kind of way about her. Jane’s family was all to her. From her husband Bill, to her Delaware family, to her children and their children, and her extended family, they, after her faith, were the foundation from which she drew strength and happiness.

The lasting legacy she left was resilience, the internal strength to take the road in front of you, do your absolute best, no shirking responsibilities, don’t expect it to be easy, take your lumps, expect twists and forks in the road, enjoy the view as you go and get up the next day with your feet still on that road‚Ķ.there are miles to go.

Jane is survived by husband William, seven children; Duane (Nancy) Van Toll, Vanessa Cashman, Diana (Michael) Van Domelen, Jim (Cynthia) Reffke, Timothy (Marie) Reffke, Dean Reffke and Vicki (Jeff) Voight, 28 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren siblings; Kenneth (Beryl) Hamilton, Wayne Hamilton, Beverly White and Lois Drummond, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her son Rick, and siblings; Ruth Maichle and Leonard Jr, and Raymond Hamilton and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Winifred and William Reffke Sr.

The funeral service for Jane will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME, TRI COUNTY CHAPEL. A time of visitation will be held on Monday from 3:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com. The family would like to extend their thanks to Appleton Medical Center Emergency Room staff, Dr. Amankwah and Dr. Mannebach.