Obituary: Jeanette Lillian Billstrand

February 18, 1938 ~ February 1, 2023

Jeanette Lillian Billstrand, age 84, of Sturgeon Bay, died on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Sturgeon Bay Health Services.

Jeanette was born February 18, 1938, in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of independent grocer, Harry and Lillian (Wehner) Olsen, and the younger sister of Ray. During her years in grammar and high school, she was often found spending time with her lifelong friend, Gwen (Greet) Bobek. She was yearbook editor and chief before graduation from Steinmetz High School in 1956. After high school, she did clerical work before marrying the love of her life, Robert Billstrand. On May 15, 1959, they were united in marriage at Roseland Presbyterian Church in Illinois, and the couple was blessed with over 59 years of marriage before his passing on September 11, 2018.

Jeanette was a former member of Roseland Presbyterian Church and United Presbyterian Church in South Holland, IL. During this time, she was active in Mariners adult group and holiday bazaar, various Calvin Christian School projects and the weekly lunch program. In her healthier years, she attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay.

She enjoyed quilting and was active with the Heritage Quilts in South Chicago, Door County Quilt Guild in Sturgeon Bay, and Trillium Quilt Guild in Sister Bay. Jean was gifted at teaching quilting techniques and lecturing on Midwest quilt history. She also enjoyed photography, scrapbooking, crochet, needlepoint, her cats, her ancestry, and cooking. Most of all, she was a devoted mother that deeply loved her family.

Jeanette is survived by: three sons, Charles (Christine) Billstrand of Lansing, IL, James Billstrand of Plano, TX, and John (Lori) Billstrand of Westfield, IN; seven grandchildren, Nicholas and Olivia, Brandon, Kristin, and Justin, and Alec and Kaelyn. Great-Granddaughter, Aurora and an expected sibling.

She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; grandson, Michael Billstrand; brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Cathy Olsen; and brother-in-law, Arthur (Barbara) Billstrand.

A memorial service for Jeanette is being planned for late spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jeanette’s name for a charity of your choice.

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Jeanette may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.