Jeanette C. Oates

Jeanette C. Oates, 94, passed away on December 26, 2025, after a brief illness.

Jeanette was born in 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Alfred and Dorothy Birch. As a young girl, Jeanette was a member of her church youth group, the Girl Scouts and volunteered at the city environmental preserve. She loved nature and animals, especially dogs, and rescued many strays. Jeanette graduated from Austin High School where she participated in choir and volleyball. After graduation, she attended business school and worked in clerical positions all her life. She married her high school sweetheart, Holland V. Oates, in 1951. Together they owned and operated a family-operated milk distributorship and veal calf operation.

Jeanette enjoyed skiing, golfing, and traveling. She and Holland played new golf courses throughout Wisconsin and the United States. They especially enjoyed spending part of the winter months at Gulf Shore, Alabama. Jeanette lived a faith-filled and prayerful life. She was an active member of St. Bernadette Church and cooked and delivered meals for the Men’s Homeless Shelter. She was a Girl Scout leader and officer of the Appleton Newcomers’ Club and belonged to several bowling and golf leagues. Most importantly, Jeanette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her family and was each member’s biggest fan. She was the weaver of the ties that bound her family together.

Jeanette is survived by her son, John (Sharon) Oates, and her daughters, Janice (Kris) Duffy, and Holly (Floyd) Buckner; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, the “Banta Ladies”.

She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws; and brother, Thomas Birch.

Jeanette’s family will celebrate her life at a private service. She will be laid to rest with her husband at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton, WI.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha, Wisconsin.

Jeanette’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Renaissance Assisted Living, Rennes Health and Rehab Center, and AseraCare Hospice Care.