Jeanne Wilkowski

Wilkowski, Jeanne Marie age 63, a resident of Minneapolis Minnesota for over 30 years, went to be with The Lord on September 4th, 2018 surrounded by her beloved husband and dogs. Jeanne was born in Plymouth, Minnesota, on February 11th, 1955 to parents Leonard and Germaine (Selz) Vertnik.

Jeanne spent her early years living in Plymouth Minnesota and helping her parents raise her siblings. She grew up learning to love to sail, whether on high stormy seas or calm sunny waters. She first learned on Lake Minnetonka, then on Lake Superior. She later shared her love of sailing with her children on Lake Vermilion.

She attended Wayzata High School and graduated in 1973. She was an honor student who enjoyed participating in choir and the National Honor Society. In high school she was exceptional at drawing, painting and sculpting and often had her work on display. She was a member of the Joy Folk singing group. She graduated the University of Minnesota and majored in Housing, Interior Design, and Horticulture. She later graduated from Saint Thomas with a teaching degree in Special Education. She was always an exceptional student receiving all A's. In 1980, Jeanne married Christopher Wilkowski at Saint Mary's of the Lake. Jeanne and Christopher met while dancing with mutual friends. She had various careers, but truly found her passion when she became a part of the Special Educational team. She poured her heart and soul into all the work she did, especially her students and helped each of them find their own passion. Her students truly adored her.

She found true enjoyment in gardening and horticulture at an early age. Jeanne especially loved exploring all life the world had to give and had exemplary knowledge about all creatures large and small. She would immerse herself in the natural universe and loved learning all she could about each organism. She would frequently tell you the common name, Latin name and what each plant needed to flourish in the wild, and in your garden. She was eager to learn new things and never stopped craving knowledge. Jeanne loved to sing to the sky, she loved to sing to the trees and sing to her children. Art was a way of life with Jeanne. She would paint delicate scenes that would bring her love of Nature and art together. Jeanne was an exceptional baker and enjoyed teaching her children how to make her famous pumpkin pies and caramel rolls. She loved to share each exciting new experience, discovery and skill with the family that she was so very proud of.

Jeanne had a passion for sewing from an early age and was a talented seamstress often making her own clothes; more significantly, she created her own dress for her wedding. She spent countless hours putting her heart and soul into every stitch in her gown, and even stayed awake during the early morning hours before her wedding to perfect and finish her gorgeous dress. Jeanne having the knowledge and love she did for flowers made her arrangements, bouquets and even her own headpiece for her wedding with the help from her loving friends.

One of her favorite places to be is the family farm in West Virginia, where nature is mostly untouched. On the farm she started an Orchard with some of her favorite trees. She loved to walk in the fields with her dogs, surrounded by thousands of fireflies. She loved the flowers in her garden especially the wild roses. In the house on the farm she would love to cuddle with her beloved husband and their puppies in front of the fireplace. Jeanne adored her precious puppies and often spent time adoring them and snuggling them every night. Jeanne was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who would give and do anything to help her family grow and flourish. She especially loved her three grandchildren Aiden, Elizabeth, and John (JW) and often spoke about how proud she was to be "Grandma Jeanne".

Jeanne leaves behind her devoted husband Christopher Walter Wilkowski whom she married June 28th, 1980 in Plymouth, Minnesota at Saint Mary's of the Lake. Jeanne was truly the love of Chris's life and was adored by him bringing constant joy and meaning to his life and helped to show him the world through her eyes. They often spent time together doing artwork, sailing, hiking through the woods and climbing the short hills in West Virginia on their farm. Together they enjoyed the company of their puppies over the years.

Jeanne and Chris were married for 38 years and shared five beautiful children and three grandchildren, Sarianna Alyssabeth Jeanne (Jonathan), Nathan Alexander Christopher (Hannah; Elizabeth), Zachary Michael Christopher (Rebecca; Aiden, John), Nicholas Gerard Christopher, and Luke Jacob Christopher (Elissa).

Visitation will be Thursday September 13th at Bradshaw Funeral Home 3131 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406 from 5-8 pm. Funeral services will be held September 15th at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 5426 12th Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55417. Services will start with a visitation at 10 am- 11am.

Memorials can be made to the Humane Society or Animal Rescue Organizations.