Jo Ann Woltkamp

Jo Ann Woltkamp

May 15, 1929-February 10, 2021

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Leona Jewett; husbands, Charles Wilkins and Adrian Woltkamp; son, David Woltkamp.  She is survived by sons, Alan Wilkins (Joan), Roger Woltkamp (Doris); daughter, Connie Biddle (Charles); grandchildren: Jenny Gallogly, Anna Nelson, Christina Weaklend (Peter), Carissa Powers (Kip), Charles Biddle II, Cayden Haiar (Andy), Lorrie Johnson (Mark), Becky Graf, and Jenny Trebil (Brad); great-grandchildren: Charlotte Brewer,  Brendan Weaklend (Julie), Evan Weaklend, Cohen Weaklend, Chloe Biddle, Kori Nuzum (Keenan), Cooper Powers, Karsyn Powers, Colton Haiar, Ella Rose Haiar, Conner Johnson (Emy), Luke Johnson, Adrienne Trebil, and Grant Trebil; great-great-grandson, Remy Nuzum; sister, Norma Kraner.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Tuesday, February 16^th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.  FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, Feb. 17^th at 11am, West Center Chapel.  Interment, Forest Lawn.  Memorials are suggested to Lauritzen Gardens or Omaha Community Playhouse.

To view a live broadcast of the Funeral, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

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Jo Ann grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but spent her adult life in Omaha.  After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, she took secretarial classes at UNO.  Jo Ann married the first love of her life, Charles Wilkins, in 1948.  They welcomed their son Alan in 1951 and daughter Connie in 1954.  Jo Ann was a devoted and loving mother.  She was an executive secretary to the president of Paxton Mitchell Company.  Jo Ann was an accomplished hostess, often trying out new recipes on her friends and family.  She went on to become the executive director of the Downtown Rotary Club.  This was a dream job for her.  She and Charlie were able to travel to many wonderful places, including Italy and Hawaii. Charlie passed away in 1981.

She was happy to welcome daughter-in-law, Joan, and two granddaughters to the family.

Jo Ann married Adrian Woltkamp, the second love of her life, in 1986.  She gained two more sons, David and Roger Woltkamp and daughter-in-law, Doris, along with three more granddaughters.  Life was great, entertaining her friends and family by the pool. She and Wally did more traveling to destinations including Japan and Alaska.  Wally passed away in 1997.

Jo Ann’s family expanded again when she welcomed son-in-law, Chuck, four grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Jo Ann was most proud to be a founding board member of the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens. She often told of her group’s meeting with mayor Daub that negotiated the land that Lauritzen Botanical Gardens currently occupies. She remained on the board for ten years.

Jo Ann loved a good joke, which proved invaluable in her many years with the Rotary–sometimes to the embarrassment of her children who were never quite sure if she really understood the bawdy ones!

Jo Ann’s favorite things were bridge, family, travel, PEO and more bridge! Cruises were her preferred mode of travel, but free cruises teaching bridge was pure heaven on earth for Jo Ann.  She traveled to destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Mediterranean and South America with her daughter, Connie.

Ballroom dancing was always a part of her life.  She also enjoyed going to the casino.

Most of all, Jo Ann loved being a mom, grandmother and great grandmother.  Jo Ann was loved and admired by all her family and friends.  She will be missed “until we meet again.”