Jeanne Gorzelitz passed away after a brief illness with her family by her side on January 8th, 2020.
Jeanne was born in Appleton on June 23, 1934 to Joseph and Kitsy (Kavanaugh) Gertz. Jeanne was a 1952 graduate of Kaukauna High School and was united in marriage to Donald Gorzelitz four years later on June 23rd, 1956. The couple lived in Yokohama, Japan where Don was stationed with the US Army and returned to Kaukauna to raise their family in 1958.
Jeanne was a lifetime member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Kaukauna where she found solace in her strong Catholic faith. She enjoyed her volunteer duties for the parish, singing in the church choir, and communion distribution at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, she cherished memories of her dad taking her to Wrigley Field every summer while growing up in the 1940’s.
She is survived by two sons, Joseph (Sue), Emmet (Nancy), two daughters, Julie (Carl) Haack, all of Appleton, Katie (Jerry) Swedberg of Neenah and her daughter-in-law Mary Gorzelitz of Menasha. Six grandchildren, Jeanette, Jessica and Joseph Jr. Gorzelitz, Taylor and Andrew Haack and Max Gorzelitz. She is also survived by her sister Pat (Don) Van Grinsven, and sister-in-law Sue Gertz, all of Kaukauna, and her many nieces and nephews. Jeanne enjoyed every moment with her very special friend, Gene Wenzel of Kaukauna.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, a son Matthew, a granddaughter Amy Gorzelitz, a great-granddaughter Faye Haack, her brother Bob Gertz, her parents, and Don’s parents Otto and Vivian Gorzelitz.
Jeanne was a wonderful shining star who brightened any room she entered. She loved the time spent with her family and friends and she adored her grandchildren.
Private family services will be held at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL-ST. MARY’S SITE in Kaukauna. The funeral will be live streamed on the Verkuilen-VanDeurzen Family Funeral Home Facebook page on Friday, January 15, 2021, beginning at 11 AM.
For those wishing, memorials are appreciated to Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, 212 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911.
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