Joan K. Tillou passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026 at Clearview in Juneau.
A private family inurnment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Fox Lake with Rev. Daniel Seehafer officiating.
Joan was born on November 13, 1952, to Roland and Madelene (nee Arneson) Gentz in Hustisford. She grew up on the family farm outside of Hustisford where many stories originated and were told for years to come.
Joan attended St. Stephen’s Lutheran School in Horicon and graduated from Horicon High School in 1971.
Joan worked at John Deere until her retirement when Multiple Sclerosis forced her to stay home. MS would slowly diminish her quality of life. First, it claimed her ability to work, then, years later, she could no longer drive, then walk, and eventually lost her memory.
For over 30 years, she and the love of her life, Jeff Jenkins, enjoyed taking local road trips, bus tours to NASCAR races, watching movies, and giving their cats the best lives. Some of her fondest memories were traveling with her friend, Janice Tobak.
She beamed with pride and joy when her only grandchild was born in 2011, and spoil him, she did! She looked forward to and enjoyed going to the camper in Montello with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.
Survivors include her daughter, Nicole (Rory) Margelofsky; grandson, Owen Margelofsky; step-granddaughter, Samantha (Tyler) Margelofsky; brother, Greg Gentz; nieces and nephews, Mike Gentz, Tony (Jen) Checki, Matt Checki, Miranda (Jesse) Kaiser, Megan (Ryan) Quiring, and Casey (Sam) Sell; cousins; and step-son, Aaron (Gina) Jenkins and their children, and step-son Adam Jenkins and his children.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Rollie and Maddy; sister, Barb Gentz; brother, Randal; significant other, Jeff Jenkins; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff at Clearview, Pastor Seehafer of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Horicon, and everyone else that gave extra during the last 25 years of her declining health.
Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is caring for the family. www. Koepsellfh.com
