In loving memory of

Jon P. Wiebe
February 23, 1959 - February 27, 2019

Black Earth - Jon P. Wiebe, age 60 passed away February 27, 2019. He was born on February 23, 1959 in Madison WI. In his early years his family lived in Decorah, IA, where his father finished college. They would return to Madison where Jon spent most of his childhood. He attended Madison West High School and graduated in 1977. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics in 1982. Jon spent many years working at the Chicago Board of Trade. When he met the love of his life, Joyce Zander, he returned to his hometown of Madison, working in the banking industry. Jon suffered a major heart attack in 2001, and after his recovery, he regarded every day as a gift. We were blessed with seventeen wonderful years with him before his heart finally failed.

Jon was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved cheering on the Packers, Brewers, and Badger sports teams. He loved the game of golf and especially spending time playing with his wife, siblings, and nephews. In his last few years of semi-retirement, he worked at Six Mile Creek Golf Course in Waunakee where his nephew Kyle Braska is head pro, lighting up the clubhouse with his cheerful quips. Jon was generous with his time, talents, and humor, and loved his family and friends fiercely. He helped many close to him find and maintain sobriety, joining him in living their healthiest life. The family cabin in Minocqua was his "Happy Place". Jon's cooking skills were legendary.

Jon is survived by his wife, Joyce Zander, step-children Jessica and Travis Vils, mother Nancy Wiebe, brother Mark (Liz), Ryan, Molly and Michael Wiebe, sister Kristin Braska, Kyle and Austin Braska, and maternal grandmother Yolanda Busse. His extended family also included his mother-in-law Charleen Zander, and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Wiebe, father-in-law Ken Zander, and cherished uncle Bob Wiebe.

A visitation will be held to honor his memory on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI from 1:00 pm-3:00pm with a memorial service to follow. Please wear your favorite Badger gear and join the family for a tailgate reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Recovery Foundation,
https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frecoveryfoundationinc.wildapricot.org%2FMemorial-Donations%2F&data=02%7C01%7Ccfose%40cressfuneralservice.com%7Cf2072af377a54f79d3f508d6a19b9b31%7C3c3291585f034928a0434ca997f7ceee%7C0%7C1%7C636874087035515681&sdata=F4xRO0ZedLczlBBeATEL2bhynkaOkvTLmNRREbKJCtQ%3D&reserved=0

Cress Funeral Service
6021 University Ave
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406

Tributes

Michael Monfils wrote on Mar 30, 2019:

"I was just doing a casual random search of old friends and acquaintances from my youth and I came upon this sad news. I remember Jon so fondly from those old Brathaus days, the Badger weekends and the crazy goings-on on State St. in the '80s, those picnics and parties we catered together, and so much more. Jon was a strong, yet adorable teddy-bear of a character, a true chum and mentor. He had a great spirit, which positively affected many of us. My sincere condolences to the families. -- Michael Monfils"

Karen Wallander wrote on Mar 18, 2019:

"Nancy and Family: I am so very sorry to learn of Jon?s death. You have endured so much and I send you love and prayers for yet another healing period in your life. God?s blessings , Karen Wallander"

Terry Edwards wrote on Mar 8, 2019:

"I had the good fortune of working with Jon when we were both employed by M&I Bank. He was one of the most positive individuals I have ever met. He tackled every issue with good humor and a smile and people were drawn to him because of that. I especially enjoyed golfing with him. Jon was always the best golfer in our group but he always encouraged the rest of us and made every round enjoyable, no matter how good or poorly we were playing. I've told this story a thousand times, but I loved golfing with him because of his positivity. Sometimes on the golf course a shot is so poor that there is nothing anyone can say. Except John. He would immediately say after a terrible dub, "Good mishit! Good mishit!" and you couldn't help but smile and laugh. Another lasting aspect of Jon's personality was his generosity. He gave me his first Big Bertha driver and would not entertain the thought of taking any money for it. When I bought my own driver and tried to give it back to him, he just said, "Find someone else who can use it." Sometimes in our lives we meet people, no matter how briefly, who make a lasting positive impact. Jon was certainly one of those people for me. You have my deepest sympathy. - Terry Edwards "

Tom Murphy wrote on Mar 6, 2019:

"Dear Joyce, Nancy, Kris, Mark and Family, My sincere condolences to you all for this stunning news of Jon?s passing. The news has reached me here in Europe and I am truly moved and saddened. When hearing of the sad news, I was suddenly reminded of the wonderful rembrances of our youth, with Jon and all the Wiebe?s. Jon?s gregarious personality, love of life, sports, golf and his generous support of his friends will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tom Murphy (Switzerland)"

Ken Kirley wrote on Mar 6, 2019:

"Jon and I became fast friends at Cherokee. Maybe too fast. In our first class on our first day of 7th grade, he and I were seated next to each other in the back row of Mr. Mann's class. A few minutes before class ended, Mr. Mann stopped teaching (the social studies lesson, anyway) to inform the two of us that we would be staying after school. In my six years of grade school at Queen of Peace, I never once had to stay after school for misconduct. Now, on my first day of middle school, I was to be reprimanded for laughing and goofing off in class with some kid I had just met 45 minutes earlier. Thanks, Jon. The final time I spoke with Jon -- at his father's memorial service -- I gently scolded him for not going to our last West High reunion, telling him, in all honesty, that the only reason I went was to see him. He promised to go to our next reunion. Now our reunion will have to wait. Until then, Jon, rest in peace. Ken Kirley, Minnetonka "

Roger Rittenhouse wrote on Mar 6, 2019:

"Sorry for your loss "

Jeanne Whitish wrote on Mar 5, 2019:

"Jon will certainly be missed, please know our hearts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Jeanne Whitish"

Lee Fischl wrote on Mar 4, 2019:

"I was saddened to hear about Jon's death, I send my sincere condolences to his entire family. In my circle of friends whenever Jon's name was mentioned he was thought of as a kind and gentle man always willing to offer a helping hand. I will miss my friend Jon."

Bob Strong wrote on Mar 4, 2019:

"My sincere condolences on your loss. I pray that memories of happier times will see you through your time of grief! "God gave us memory so we might enjoy roses in winter." I am a respected researcher of Mennonite genealogy, and would like to connect your loved one to his/your family and ancestry, which I am unable to do given the limited information in his obituary. My on-line project contains over 475,000 individuals, including more than 10,000 Wiebes, among them my maternal grandmother. Please contact me at an appropriate time if you are willing to share/exchange details. Thank you. All information about living individuals is suppressed to protect your/their privacy. "

Rolf Tweeten wrote on Mar 3, 2019:

"Tweetens send our condolences to his wonderful wife Joyce and the extended Wiebe and Zander families. Jon had a huge heart and love for life. He was loved by all that knew him and our lives are much richer because of his presence. "

Patricia Barnes Putnam (Mrs. William Hollist Putna wrote on Mar 3, 2019:

"The Putnam and Olson families send their condolences to extended WIeber families. So many wonderful memories of Jon in his life time. Now united with his Father Roger. Uncle Bobby and Grand parents. RIP Jon."