Jean Elizabeth Pionke, age 75, from Portage, passed away peacefully on September 4th at UW Hospital.

She had a tragic fall resulting in severe head trauma. She did not regain consciousness following her fall. When she passed, she was surround by her family.

Jean was born on May 10th,1950 to William and Ellen Ritchay in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jean was the first of nine children. Jean spent most of her childhood living in Milwaukee. Later in her teen years, her family then moved to Ripon where she finished high school and met Dennis. She graduated from Ripon High School in 1968.

Dennis and Jean married soon after high school and have been inseparable for the last 56 years. Together they went on to raise three sons and have four grandchildren.

Over the years, Jean worked at a number of locations in Portage, including the Porterhouse, the Hitching Post, Piggy Wiggly and American Family. Jean retired as an Insurance Solicitor/Office Manager from Chuck Milller's American Family agency. She loved working for Chuck, a wonderful friend and an employer.

After living at a couple different homes in Portage, they moved out to a farm in 1984 and have been there ever since.

After their retirement, Dennis and Jean began traveling to warmer climates in the winter. Over the next few years, they traveled to a variety of different locations and finally found their snowbird home in Tuscon, Arizona.

Jean was a person with very diverse interests. She loved playing Mahjong and cards with her friends, reading books, watching movies, boating, camping and riding ATVs. She loved to travel; Dennis and Jean have traveled the world. They have also traveled thousands of miles riding ATVs throughout the US.

Those close to Jean, knew her as a kind, caring, and generous soul. She has touched countless lives over the years. Jean was a very selfless, patient, fun, and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Jean was intelligent, quick witted, sincere, loving, and good-humored. She always put other's needs before her own.

Anyone who knows Dennis, also understood that she was very patient.

Jean is survived by her husband, Dennis, three sons, Dan (Raquel) , Scott (Janet), Steve (Rebecca) and her beloved four grandchildren, Danielle, Brody, Maxson, Charlotte, and many siblings, nieces, and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ellen Ritchay and her brother Tom Ritchay.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Portage Area Community Charitable Trust.

A fund has been established in her honor. Donations can be made at the time of the visitation or can be mailed to 1731 New Pinery Road, Portage WI, 53901.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage. Mass will begin at noon. Following Mass, family and close friends of Dennis and Jean are invited to a luncheon at Knights of Columbus (KC) Hall in Portage.