Margaret Voelker

Margaret Jill Voelker, 68, of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, passed away on July 2, 2022 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her best friend and husband, Aloysius “Bill”  Voelker, her daughter, Samantha Marquardt (Kyle), her son, Josh Voelker (Erin), her five grandchildren who were the light of her life: Mason, Waylon, Jack, Elwood and Amelia, many nieces and nephews and many friends. She is predeceased by her mother, Elizabeth Shafer, her father, Eugene Shafer and her sister, Janeen Shafer.

Jill was born on November 19, 1953 to Elizabeth and Eugene Shafer. She grew up in Alton, Illinois where she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Marquette High School. She attended secretarial school after she graduated. Jill married her best friend, Bill Voelker on January 8, 1977. They raised two children, Samantha and Josh. Jill was always their biggest fan cheering them on in all aspects of their lives. Bill was in the Air Force for twenty years and the family lived in many places, including Michigan, Utah, Iceland and Nevada. In 1995, after Bill retired from the Air Force, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they lived for 26 years. During that time, Jill worked for herself as a house cleaner and had many long-time clients, who she looked at as dear friends. Recently, Jill and Bill built their dream home in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. Jill loved her view of the lake from their new home. They had both recently retired.

Jill enjoyed traveling with her husband, and they made many trips together including a once-in-lifetime trip to Alaska, a Hawaiian cruise, and trips to National Parks such as Acadia, Yellowstone and Glacier. Jill also loved going out on the boat with Bill. They spent many days on the boat fishing and enjoying the lake. Jill also loved sitting on her deck or front patio with Bill, enjoying a cocktail and visiting with passing neighbors and friends. Jill was an avid and loyal Cubs fan. She could often be seen wearing one of her many Cubs t-shirts. Jill also enjoyed gardening and entertaining family and friends. There were many family dinners hosted by Jill filled with laughter and joy.

The biggest joy in Jill’s life was spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She absolutely loved being a grandmother to her five grandchildren. She attended as many of their games and events as she could as well as spending quality time with each of them. Her family was her everything. Jill will be deeply missed by her family and her friends.

Jill was one of a kind, and she was loved by many. She had a heart of gold and would do anything she could to help others. She was genuine and truthful and full of joy. She spoke her mind, and had no problem telling you exactly what she thought. She brightened the days of all who knew her.

A funeral service and mass will be held at 12:00 in the afternoon on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at St. Mary Church (St. Faustina Parish) at 318 S. Main St. in Pardeeville. Father Jay Poster and Father Joji Thirumalareddy will officiate. There will be a visitation at 10:00 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Agrace Hospice or Carbone Cancer Center at UW Hospital. The family will forever be grateful for the loving care Jill received during her battle with pancreatic cancer.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

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