Jolene Ann Windt lost her courageous battle with cancer at home, surrounded by loved ones, on Dec. 16, 2024, at 1:26 p.m. Jolene was born on Sept. 24, 1954, in Hallock, Minnesota, and grew up in Pembina, North Dakota.
The oldest of five, Jo helped her parents with the raising of her younger brothers and sisters, always the dominate, take-charge, older sis. A brilliant student, Jolene would split her time cheerleading on the football field or basketball court, and reading the encyclopedia. Jolene graduated from Pembina High School in 1972 as valedictorian of her class. She enrolled in the school of pharmacy at North Dakota State University, in the fall of 1972.
On Nov. 24, 1973, Jo was joined in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Don Windt. This union of their hearts and souls endured over 51 years until her death. In July 1976, Jolene became a military wife, joining Don, now a second lieutenant in the USAF as they moved to Mississippi, Arizona, United Kingdom, back to Arizona before settling in Kokomo. While stationed in England, Don was deployed on the average of seven months a year for three years, while Jolene stayed behind raising the children and running the household. Yet, not once did she complain. Jolene entered the Indiana University school of nursing, Kokomo and for 1989 and 1990, was honored as the outstanding student in nursing, graduating with honors, Bachelor’s of Science, Registered Nurse.
For 23 years of compassion and caring, Jolene worked at St. Joseph and Community Howard hospitals, managing, among other duties, cath lab manager, progressive care unit manager and telemetry medical surgery manager. Jo was the most magnificent and caring mother. Never did Brendan or Andrea go trick-or-treating in a store-bought costume. Always they wore an outfit made by loving hands. Jolene’s life became complete with the arrival of her grandchildren, Annalise and Samuel. Her love and nurturing was directly responsible for their development into the wonderful adults they are now.
Survivors are Donald Windt (husband) Kokomo, Indiana, Brendan John Windt (son), Kokomo; Andrea (Stan) Beth Antonelli (daughter), Russiaville, Indiana; Stan Antonelli (son-in-law) Russiaville; Annalise Beth Bowlby (granddaughter) Russiaville, Indiana; Samuel Chad Bowlby (grandson) Russiaville, Indiana; Janet (Wayne) O’Hara (sister) Pembina, North Dakota; John (Kathryn) Johnson (brother), Pembina, North Dakota and James Johnson (brother) Pembina, North Dakota. Jolene is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marlene Johnson; sister, Joy Ash; and in-laws, John and Annie Windt.
There are so many people to thank for their kindness, generosity and support. First, the men and women of Community Howard Emergency room, second floor telemetry medical surgery unit, third floor progressive care unit and finally, Dr. Annette Moore and her oncology staff were absolutely superb. Thank you to our neighbors for the meals, support and prayers, you are all terrific. Thank you to Elara Health Care for your great service. To Paradigm Healthcare and especially RN Chrissy Brandenburg, you were outstanding. To Jill Newby, Jolene’s bestie, who was by Jo’s side virtually every day and finally, to Jolene’s sister, Jan, who gave up her family life back home since day one to cook, clean, shop and care for her big sister since the beginning. We couldn’t have persevered without you.
Funeral services celebrating Jo’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Pastor Carl Hingst officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
The oldest of five, Jo helped her parents with the raising of her younger brothers and sisters, always the dominate, take-charge, older sis. A brilliant student, Jolene would split her time cheerleading on the football field or basketball court, and reading the encyclopedia. Jolene graduated from Pembina High School in 1972 as valedictorian of her class. She enrolled in the school of pharmacy at North Dakota State University, in the fall of 1972.
On Nov. 24, 1973, Jo was joined in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Don Windt. This union of their hearts and souls endured over 51 years until her death. In July 1976, Jolene became a military wife, joining Don, now a second lieutenant in the USAF as they moved to Mississippi, Arizona, United Kingdom, back to Arizona before settling in Kokomo. While stationed in England, Don was deployed on the average of seven months a year for three years, while Jolene stayed behind raising the children and running the household. Yet, not once did she complain. Jolene entered the Indiana University school of nursing, Kokomo and for 1989 and 1990, was honored as the outstanding student in nursing, graduating with honors, Bachelor’s of Science, Registered Nurse.
For 23 years of compassion and caring, Jolene worked at St. Joseph and Community Howard hospitals, managing, among other duties, cath lab manager, progressive care unit manager and telemetry medical surgery manager. Jo was the most magnificent and caring mother. Never did Brendan or Andrea go trick-or-treating in a store-bought costume. Always they wore an outfit made by loving hands. Jolene’s life became complete with the arrival of her grandchildren, Annalise and Samuel. Her love and nurturing was directly responsible for their development into the wonderful adults they are now.
Survivors are Donald Windt (husband) Kokomo, Indiana, Brendan John Windt (son), Kokomo; Andrea (Stan) Beth Antonelli (daughter), Russiaville, Indiana; Stan Antonelli (son-in-law) Russiaville; Annalise Beth Bowlby (granddaughter) Russiaville, Indiana; Samuel Chad Bowlby (grandson) Russiaville, Indiana; Janet (Wayne) O’Hara (sister) Pembina, North Dakota; John (Kathryn) Johnson (brother), Pembina, North Dakota and James Johnson (brother) Pembina, North Dakota. Jolene is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marlene Johnson; sister, Joy Ash; and in-laws, John and Annie Windt.
There are so many people to thank for their kindness, generosity and support. First, the men and women of Community Howard Emergency room, second floor telemetry medical surgery unit, third floor progressive care unit and finally, Dr. Annette Moore and her oncology staff were absolutely superb. Thank you to our neighbors for the meals, support and prayers, you are all terrific. Thank you to Elara Health Care for your great service. To Paradigm Healthcare and especially RN Chrissy Brandenburg, you were outstanding. To Jill Newby, Jolene’s bestie, who was by Jo’s side virtually every day and finally, to Jolene’s sister, Jan, who gave up her family life back home since day one to cook, clean, shop and care for her big sister since the beginning. We couldn’t have persevered without you.
Funeral services celebrating Jo’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Pastor Carl Hingst officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
