Jeanne A. Falke
Of Waupaca, age 84, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She was born in Lind Center the youngest daughter of Edwin and Eva (Gabrielson) Peterson. Jeanne went to Lind Center Grade School and graduated from Waupaca High School. She then went to one year at a County Teacher’s College in Wautoma. Jeanne married Harold H. Falke Jr. on October 10, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca with a marriage celebration at Orihula, WI.
Jeanne and Harold moved briefly to Illinois and Texas before making their forever home in the country near Weyauwega, which later would be called “Galilee Heights.”
One of Jeanne’s first jobs was at Zwicker’s Knitting Mill. After her children were born, she worked with her husband. They owned and operated City-Wide Disposal Garbage Service where she drove garbage truck. After selling the business Jeanne went to work in the meat department at Ron and Lloyds Red Owl in Weyauwega. She also worked many years at Presto Products in Weyauwega, where she retired. Until her husband needed a “Chaser Car” when he delivered fire trucks. She was there when or were ever he needed her.
Jeanne was a follower and supported whatever type of business or fun activities her husband was into. This included spending their winters in Arizona in their later years. She met many new Arizona friends during this time. In earlier times she enjoyed doing “anything” with her sisters who have since passed. She will be united with them and they’ll be playing their funny tricks or games on anyone who may be gullible.
Jeanne really enjoyed camping anywhere with family and friends. She was famous for making her delicious “Camper Breakfast” in a huge frying pan over the campfire for anyone who was hungry. All the kids camping looked forward to “Grandma Jeanne” making her homemade doughnuts as well.
Jeanne enjoyed playing the piano. Many times, she helped her husband learn a new song on his guitar by her playing the chords for him on the piano. She and her sister, Delores even played “Chopsticks” on the piano in the box of a moving pickup truck. That brought a few laughs to the neighborhood when we were getting a used piano delivered.
Jeanne was always found with a word search book and pen wherever she went. She also would not go anywhere without some cough drops. If someone would cough, she’d reach in her pocket and pull out a cough drop to offer. She enjoyed doing the “high 5” with kids of all ages. She loved it when she got a big smile from them. Jeanne absolutely loved all her t-shirts with the many sayings. You never knew what she was going to wear to the next get together. Her favorite shirts that she was so proud of said “I’m not just a Plain Old Grandma; I’m a Great Grandma!” Those shirts had every name listed of each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jeanne’s life drastically changed when her husband passed away suddenly in 2016. She was a strong woman and did her best to keep the smile on her face during all her loneliness for him. She is no longer lonely. She is now with the love of her life.
She will be sadly missed by her four children: Gary L. (Martina) Falke; Dee Dee M. (Bruce) Goode; Ryan A. (Becky) Falke and James H. (Jennifer) Falke; nine grandchildren: Joseph (Toni) Falke; Melissa (Mike) Hruska; Nicole (Lance) Simonis; Amanda (Luke) Mithcell; Ryan Jr. “Al” (Devery) Falke; Cesslie (Jordan) Klockzein; Haley Falke, Emilee Falke and Elle Falke; 15 great grandchildren: Madalyn, Alex, Lydia and Jordan Falke, Landon and Braydon Simonis, Brevan Falke, Graysen, Emmett and Brynlie Klockzein, Brayton and Windham Falke, Adeline and Hayes Hruska, Ilha Mitchell; sister-in-law: Milly Kay Ginocchio; brother-in-law: Terance (Chris) Falke; other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by stepmother, Edith, father and mother-in-law, Harold H Falke Sr. and Vivian I Lunewitz, sisters and brothers-in-law, Arleta and Walter Prill, JoAnn and Velmer Timm, Delores and Vernon Loehrke and Karen and Smokie Kimmel. Her husband’s sister and brothers-in-law, Helen and Ernesto Benevides and Clement Ginnochio, nephews, Dale Timm, Kent Timm and Matthew Payton. Her nephew Jerry Loehrke and ring bearer at her wedding passed away the day after she did.
The Funeral Service will be on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 206 E. Badger St. Waupaca. The visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Burial will be in Lind Center Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the whole staff at Bethany for their care and comfort for Mom during her stay there.
The Maple Crest Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
