Jill E. Kendall, 56, of Onalaska, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
She was born on March 30, 1956 in Elkhorn to John S. and L. Dolores (LaWonn) Kendall. She graduated from East Troy High School and attended the School for the Visually Blind and Handicapped in Janesville.
Jill lived in East Troy for many years where she had many friends, including her seeing-eye dog, Ruby. After her mother’s death in 2000, she relocated to the Waukesha area. In 2010 she moved to the La Crosse area.
Jill’s entire life was filled with multiple physical challenges. She always displayed her perseverance, strength, and great courage in overcoming each obstacle that came her way. Several activities that Jill enjoyed was cooking, swimming and attending the Lions Summer Camp for the blind as well as going for ice cream. Everyone she met she would greet them with a mint and a smile.
She is the beloved sister to Janice Snyder (Joseph) of Waukesha, John Kendall, Jr. (Kristine) of Troy Center, Pamela Kendall (Rodney Newman) of La Crosse, Mary Schneider (Peter) of Burlington, and Joanne Kendall of Bucksport, Maine. Jill is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Sarah Patz (Dan), Melissa Snyder, and Joseph Snyder Jr. (Jill), John Kendall III (Lisa), Lisa Kendall, and Jennifer Hougelin (Chris), Jeremey Kendall (Bridget) and Jessica Thomas, Jakob Schneider (Alison) and Joel Schneider (Kelly), and Aliza Baran (Mark) and Victoria Henning; and her great-nieces and -nephews, Lukas Snyder and Cadence Brown, Miranda, Kieran, Hayden, Vincent, Helene Kendall, Tegan and Hadie Hougelin, Jeren and Justin Kendall, and Ella Schneider.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Jill was loved and cared for by Liz and Sara and the staff of Aurora Health at her group home. She was also cared for by Jen and Kay at Western Wisconsin Cares, and Alissa and the staff at CCLS.
Jill’s family also wishes to thank Helen Hill, NP and all of Jill’s specialists at Gundersen Lutheran who treated her for her many health issues.
A memorial service with committal rites will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m., in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield. The Rev. Quentin Heck will officiate.
The Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.
