Jeanne Waschbisch

Jeanne Waschbisch, 81, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Saturday morning, Feb. 20, 2021, of natural causes with family present. She was born Oct. 30, 1939, in Lena to Art and Leona (Luiser) Guelig. Jeanne grew up in rural Lena and attended public schools, graduating from high school with the Class of 1958. She went on to attended UW-Whitewater where she received a bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She was later certified in Library Science.

On June 30, 1962, she married Frank Waschbisch at St. Charles Catholic Church in Lena. Following their marriage, the couple settled in Oconto Falls, and Jeanne taught for a time in Suring. Jeanne enjoyed helping others and asked nothing in return. Jeanne’s real passion was reading, and she became a librarian at the Cook Memorial Library in 1974 and retired in 2005 as head librarian in the Oconto Falls Library’s new facility. Even after retirement, it wasn’t unusual to see Jeanne in the library or volunteering in some capacity. Over the years she took part in Homemakers, Study Club, Oconto Falls Chamber of Commerce, Red Hatters and served as Secretary for Friends of the Library. Jeanne enjoyed square dancing with her husband, Frank, reading, going to and organizing rummage sales, puttering around in her flower garden, reading, spending time with family and friends and reading. Jeanne really enjoyed reading, learning new things and traveling to new places. Another favorite event was family night every Monday at the family residence where she would try out new recipes and make all the family’s favorite meals.

Survivors are her husband of 59 years, Frank Waschbisch, Oconto Falls; their four children, Connie (Jeff Zeitler) Waschbisch, Pound; Ron Waschbisch, Oconto Falls; Marilyn (Scott Anderson) Waschbisch, Pulaski; Bob (Lisa) Waschbisch, Coleman; her honorary grandchildren, Scarlett, Hannah and Ella Olson; Charlee and Lucy Haws, Dirk and Millie Zeitler; one sister, Judy (Al Bachtell) Guelig, Whitefish Bay; three brothers, Bob Guelig, Lena; Gary (Denise) Guelig, Stiles; Mark (Trisha Martin) Guelig, Minnesota; nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, birth mother and adoptive mother Irene (Larue) Guelig, an infant son Jeffrey John Waschbisch and sister, Marilyn Guelig.

Visitation will be held after 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls until the time of service. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Greg Parent officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls is serving the Waschbisch family.

The family would like to thank the emergency response team, as well as the St. Clare Hospital staff for their assistance in our time of need.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Oconto Falls Library, 251 N. Main St., Oconto Falls, WI 54154, or read a book in her memory.