Montfort – Mary J. Jenks, age 80, of Montfort, died unexpectedly as the result of an automobile accident on Feb. 12, 2016 at University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville. Mary was born on Nov. 2, 1935 in Montfort, WI the daughter of Albert and Anna (Rose) Wienkes. She married Douglas Jenks on Oct. 10, 1953 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Highland, WI.
Mary and Doug farmed outside of Cobb until purchasing the farm where they currently live in Wingville Township in 1972. Mary worked at the Cobb Canning Factory and then did bookkeeping for Swiss Colony, Midwest Livestock, Farm Credit Service and lastly USDA/ASCS before retiring in 1997. Mary enjoyed painting, word puzzles, softball, bowling, cheering on the Packers and Badgers, and spending every Friday night dancing with friends at Huckleberry’s in Prairie du Chien. She loved to have fun and be around people, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary was a very tough but loving woman who was always willing to listen and would do anything for her family. Her honest opinions and straightforward answers will forever be cherished.
Mary is survived by her loving husband Doug of Montfort, seven children; Debbie (Dave) Winkers of Fennimore, Susan (Terry) Vavricka of Cobb, Bev Heiman of Pewaukee, Tom (Sandy) Jenks of Cobb, Brian (Faith) Jenks of Green Bay, Ken Jenks of Green Bay and Lori (Bill) Vanni of Sahuarita, AZ, 16 grandchildren; David Winkers, Dan (Shannon) Winkers, Doug Winkers, Melanie (Mark) Cuper, Justin (Jenny) Moon, Jaime Vavricka, TJ (Cassie) Vavricka, Jason (Nicole) Heiman, Chad Heiman, Christine Albiter (Finance Josh Stedman), Eric Jenks, Kurt (Daisy) Jenks, Jordan Jenks, Nicole Jenks, Mindy (Aaron) Cadotte and Tracy (Kelly) Gunderson, and 26 great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by sisters Viola Weeden and Gladys (Glen) Kalish, brother Paul (Dee) Wienkes, sisters-in-law Carole and Kate Wienkes, and special dancing friends Jerry and Carol Bertram.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Vernard and Gerald Wienkes, sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Denny Brice and brother-in-law Don Weeden.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday Feb. 20, 2016 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort with burial to follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Cobb. Father Jim Murphy will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday Feb. 19, 2016 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort. In lieu of plants and flowers, a memorial fund is being established in loving memory of Mary J. Jenks