Jan L. (Vollbrecht) Gilbertson

Jan L. (Vollbrecht) Gilbertson

Jan faced Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma B-Cell cancer with a resolute attitude and passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at her home, with her amazing husband Scott, by her side. 

Jan had said many times during her cancer journey, that she had lived a good life and was thankful for each day.  Jan and Scott had moved back to Appleton in October, 2022 and faced her cancer battle with the support of family and friends.  During the end stages of her life, the St. Paul’s Elder Services Hospice team were the kind and loving people who helped Jan and her family maneuver through the cancer battlefield.

 Jan was born on October 14, 1952 to Orlen and Betty Vollbrecht in Clintonville, WI.  The family moved to Appleton where Jan attended school and graduated from Appleton High School-East in 1971.  Jan then attended UW-Oshkosh where she studied in the field of nursing. 

Jan disliked the Wisconsin winters and moved to the warm climate of Guadalajara, Mexico for over three years before coming back to Wisconsin after the birth of her daughter, Erica.   She stayed in Wisconsin only a short time before getting out of the cold and moved to the sunny state of Florida.

And the travels only continued throughout her lifetime to both the East and West coasts and numerous places in between! 

Jan and Scott married on September 11, 1992 and recently renewed their wedding vows. Jan and Scott enjoyed travels of all kinds – whether it was to Italy, Hawaii, Norway, Germany or just going for a Sunday drive in one of the many states they lived in.

Jan rarely missed attending anything her grandsons, Victor and Val, were involved in and thoroughly enjoyed being part of their lives from infants to the strong, young men they are today.  Jan was an avid Packer fan – a nod to her home state and an absolute Clemson fan – the college Victor recently graduated from with his Masters degree and Val is currently attending.

Jan never cared for cooking, so thank goodness Scott filled that void. Jan loved her brandy old fashioned sweet cocktail and a Friday fish fry – especially those in Wisconsin. Jan was a long time music fan of Barbara Streisand.  There were many times that she was in the hot tub singing a Streisand song – not caring who heard her rendition. 

Jan was a consummate reader and her numerous books, along with the wall of floor to ceiling bookcases, traveled with her through 17 home moves.  Jan made friends throughout her many travels and kept many of those relationships during her lifetime. With so many homes bought and sold, Jan became an excellent and meticulous organizer. Jan kept a complete calendar of everyone’s birthday and never missed sending out a card. She was so organized, that she even had a specific work outfit for each day of the week – week in and week out.

Jan is survived by her loving husband, Scott, her daughter Erica Jordan and grandsons Victor Mohaugen and Valentine Mohaugen.  Her surviving siblings are Patty Vollbrecht, Danny (Dawn) Vollbrecht, Cheryl (John) Krueger, Lori Hanke (Scott Newling), Lisa Haferbecker in addition to her numerous nieces and nephews and their children. 

Jan is preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Dave Haferbecker.

Memorial service will be on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton with Pastor Aaron Schulz officiating. Family and friends may greet family on Thursday, August 31st from 3:00 pm until the time of services at the funeral home.

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