Fifth Generation

22. Jane Kathryn HEINZE was born on 29 March 1919 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^47,57,59,97 She appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁷ She appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁰ Jane died on 27 July 2020 at the age of 101 in Bangor, La Crosse County, WI.⁹⁷

Obituary Notes: "Jane Kathryn Heinze Hesselberg, 101, Bangor, passed on July 27th at her home. She was born on March 29, 1919 to Louis and Eva (Vandervort) Heinze in Tomah, Wisconsin. She graduated from West Salem High School in 1937 and Madison Beauty School.

In March 1939 she married Wilmer Hesselberg, Bangor. They saved money for their first farm with seven years of working together at the Monroe County Asylum, Sparta, where Jane was cook for the staff. Thereafter they farmed together in Gills Coulee and the Town of Bangor for 32 years. The farm near Bangor hosted many nieces and nephews on summer “vacations” which are fondly remembered as grand times with Uncle Will and Aunt Jane. Jane also worked as a receptionist/clerk for ten years at Sparta Hospital.

At the time of Will’s death in 2012 they had been married 73 years. If you asked Jane about her life she would tell you she was a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, homemaker and friend. She loved music, playing the banjo for years with The Sweet Notes, directing the Children's Choir at the Bangor Presbyterian Church and, of course, going to dances with Will.

Cooking and baking were also favorites of Jane and most recipes had to be “fiddled with” a little, as something more was always needed. Gardening was a passion, and she loved sharing the produce and flowers. She also shared her knitting, crocheting and quilting with family and friends. And in her 60s she took up painting with her sister Mary Lou.

Jane's greatest joys were her two grandsons, Andrew and Michael. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, Elton and Louis, Jr., and three sisters, Mary Lou, Sharon and Donna. She is survived by daughters, Diane (Jon) Knutson, Stoughton, Leah (Ken) Breu, Bangor, grandsons Andrew Breu, Marshfield and Michael (Kira) Breu, Rhinelander, sister Vergean Fischer, Manitowoc, and brother-in-law Jerry (Laurie) Hesselberg, Sparta, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank you to family and friends who were able to connect with Mom in her last weeks. Her final thoughts would probably be something like: “I have had a long and wonderful life. Thank you for your love and friendship.”

A private family service will be held at Burns Cemetery, STH 162, Bangor, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Memorials may be made in Jane's name to Lions Clubs or a charity of your choosing. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, Bangor Chapel is assisting the family.

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Jane Kathryn HEINZE and Wilmer Eugene HESSELBERG were married on 18 March 1939.^39,97,98 Wilmer Eugene HESSELBERG was born on 7 July 1914 in La Crosse County, WI.⁹⁸ He died on 4 July 2012 at the age of 97 in Bangor, La Crosse County, WI.⁹⁸

Jane Kathryn HEINZE and Wilmer Eugene HESSELBERG had the following children: