Jeanne Yvonne (Grundy) Van Order

Jeanne Yvonne (Grundy) Van Order, 94, of Minocqua passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Friday, March 29, 2024. She was born on November 27, 1929, the second of seven children to Gerald and Marion (Lumbar) Grundy.

Jeanne grew up on Birch Lake (Mid Lake) and later moved to Lake Minocqua. She attended Minocqua Grade School and High School. Her first job was working as a soda jerk at Schilling Drug Store, then at the A & P in downtown Minocqua. On September 12, 1953, Jeanne married William “Billy” A. Van Order at the United Methodist Church of the Pines in Minocqua. Over the next 12 years, they welcomed their five children to the world; Laura, Lillian, Robert, Louise, and Thomas. Bill worked for Wisconsin Public Service for over 30 years, where they also participated in many employee outings and picnics. Jeanne worked in the meat department at Save More Marketplace before managing the deli department with her good friend, Ellie Dahm. She worked at Save More for many years until her retirement when her first grandchild was born.

Jeanne enjoyed her involvement in the United Methodist Church of the Pines where she was involved in several women’s groups, fundraisers, and was one of the founders of the annual Christmas cookie walk which was featured in Taste of Home Magazine. She was well-known for her secret recipe Symphony Bars. Jeanne was a very active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 89. She volunteered for many events including steak dinners, the annual poppy sales, 4th of July parade, and deer-widow luncheon.

Jeanne’s other hobbies included cooking and baking anything and everything, swimming, fishing, bowling, playing bridge and numerous other card games, playing dominoes on Thursday afternoons with the ladies, and cheering on all her Wisconsin sports teams — Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks.

God guided her hardworking hands in the love of her family, friends and community. Jeanne’s greatest joy in life was her family. She loved to host large family dinners, holidays, and gatherings. Everyone was welcome at Jeanne’s table. She loved spending her days swimming with her children on Lake Minocqua at her mom’s house. Later, Jeanne was the on-call babysitter and spent many summers watching her grandchildren, taking them to Crystal Lake and Circle M, and teaching them how to bake.

Jeanne is survived by her children, Laura Mendez, Robert Van Order, Louise (Thomas) Caroselli, and Thomas Van Order; son-in-law, Rick Van Goethem; her siblings, Marlene (Andrew) Abfall, Gerald “Junior” (Jane) Grundy, and Thomas (Marilyn) Grundy; her grandchildren, Garet Mendez, Leah (Joey) Koenig, Sadie (Ben) Vendl, William Van Order, Maria Caroselli, Hannah Van Goethem, Jenny Van Order, Dominic Caroselli, and Aric Van Order; great-grandchildren, Kalynne, Max, Lainyn, Reid, Brinley, Brooks, Ian, and Lily, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Marion Grundy; her husband of 52 years, William A. Van Order; her daughter, Lillian Van Goethem; son-in-law Gary Mendez; her siblings, Adrienne Eternicka, Merle Grundy, and Gayle Reisdorf, and many beloved relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the United Methodist Church of the Pines in Minocqua on Saturday, April 13, with a visitation at 10 a.m. and services at noon with a luncheon to follow.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.