KHS Alumni Board Member Dies

Jean Ann Promer (Schmitz), 77, died peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Jean was born on August 23, 1946, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin to Catherine J. (Geigel) and Herbert J. Schmitz. One of two siblings, she graduated in 1964 from Kaukauna High School. She married Richard (Dick) Promer on April 21, 1965. They lived in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with their three sons. 

She’s survived by her three sons Jeff (Tricia), Rick and Cory; three grandchildren Jennifer Ryan (Ken), Tyler (Annie) and Hunter ( fiancé Katelyn); three great grandchildren Amelia, Lochlan and Hallie; her brother-in-law Don Promer, sister-in-law Marlene Tennessen (Gene Kostrzak), and sister-in-law Mary Biesterveld; as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Jean is preceded in death by husband Richard Promer, her grandparents Christine and Ivo Geigel, her parents Catherine and Herbert Schmitz, her sister Joan Schmitz, her brother-in-law Robert Promer, her sister-in-law Rachel Promer, and her brother-in-law Dan Biesterveld.

In her early years, Jean worked for the Ford Rexall Drug Store on the south side of Kaukauna. Then left to support Dick with his drywall business for over 50 yrs. Together they started the first health club in Kaukauna, “Physically Fit”. After moving full time to their cottage, she was hired as the first employee at Waubee Lake Lodge in Lakewood and worked there for 15 yrs. Volunteering was important to her, serving from 1984 until present on the Kaukauna Alumni Board of Directors, as well as other organizations such as the Lakewood Chambers of Commerce, Kings Daughters, Holy Cross Oktoberfest, and Xavier Food Fair. She also enjoyed golf, boating, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home KAUKAUNA LOCATION, 2401 Fieldcrest Drive. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Kaukauna. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com

The Promer family would like to thank the staffs at St. Paul Elder Services and St. Elizabeth Hospital Oncology Department for their wonderful care and compassion.