Jeannette Florence 'Jan' Kirchoff

Jeannette Florence VanderPal Kirchoff passed away peacefully at Holton Manor in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on June 15th, 2015. She was 83. Jan was born on Leap Day, February 29th, 1932, in Harvard, Illinois, to Peter and Minnie Bosma VanderPal, recent immigrants from Holland. She graduated from Northwestern University in Nursing in 1953 and married Lake Geneva High School classmate Manford G. Kirchoff on October 24th of the same year. A respected registered nurse for twenty years, she followed her passion for horticulture to become co-founder, owner, and primary grower of Kirchoff's Florist and Greenhouses for over 30 years. Jeannette was as unique as her birthday. An accomplished student, she defied convention and left the family farm for the big city to take on the challenges of a top-ten nursing school. She shared a love for travel with her husband; together they camped with their children through all but three of the United States. She had an infectious laugh and was a compassionate listener and nurse, but her true gift was her ability to understand people. She is survived by daughters Nancy (Joe) Kieraldo of Madison, Wisconsin, Mary Kirchoff (Mark Hamilton) of Bellevue, Washington, and son, Mark, of Ohio; seven grandchildren: Anthony Kieraldo, Hudson, New York, Michael Kieraldo, Madison, Wisconsin, Alexander Winter and Hayden Winter, Bellevue, Washington, Courtney (Daniel) Osborne, Caitlin Kirchoff, Cincinnati, Ohio, and McKenzie Kirchoff, Milford, Ohio; one great granddaughter, Louise Kieraldo, Hudson, New York; siblings Robert VanderPal (Joyce), Donna (Jean) Jay and Donald VanderPal. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Manford, in August 2014; parents; and sister Joan Hubble. A brief service will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove on Friday, June 26th at 1 p.m. The family requests that memorials be made to the Manford G. Kirchoff Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Achievement in lieu of flowers. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Jan's life on Thursday, September 3rd. Contributions to the scholarship or information about the September celebration may be mailed to or requested of Frank Kresen Post 24, Box 24, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147. Steinke Funeral Home & Cremation Services are assisting the family with the arrangements. For online obituary and guest registry go to www.steinkefuneralhomeinc.com Service Information Friday, June 26th, 2015 1:00pm