Jeanne C.

(Caldwell) Manley

Jeanne died peacefully at home surrounded by her family in Lake Mills, WI, on Oct.29, 2024 at age 91.

She was born Dec. 31, 1932, in Madison, WI to Eunice and Stan Caldwell. After an early career teaching high school, Jeanne found her calling in the world of fashion, serving as Regional Sales Manager with Doncaster out of North Carolina; National Sales Manager of Madeliene out of Nuremberg, Germany; and Juliana out of New York City.

Jeanne grew up in Madison, WI, attended West High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. degree. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

Jeanne married her college sweetheart, Edward Hopkins Manley (1931-2016) on June 25, 1955, in Madison and they were happily married for 61 years. Ed and Jeanne loved to dance and served as Co-Chairs of the Lake Mills Dance Club.

Actively engaged in community service all her life, Jeanne volunteered for the Children's Home and Aid Society, Rockford Memorial Hospital, Munster Hospital Auxiliary, Service League of Hammond, and Meals on Wheels. She served on the Church Council (Congregational UCC of Lake Mills) and was Chair of the Rock Lake Garden Club.

Jeanne was a champion of girls and women for decades, from mentoring young mothers at the Rockford Children's Home to coaching and encouraging teams of regional managers throughout the U.S. and the world.

Jeanne and Ed raised their family in Rockford, IL and Munster, IN. They spent summers in Lake Mills, WI starting in 1958, and moved to Lake Mills permanently in 2001.

Surviving Jeanne are her beloved children, Philip Manley (Laura Pennington) of Lake Mills, WI; Carolyn Manley McCarter of Detroit, MI, and Paula Manley (Todd Samusson) of Portland, OR. Her siblings are Stan Caldwell (Jane Caldwell) of Plano, TX and Roberta McClean of Phoenix, AZ (deceased). Grandchildren are Alexandra Manley, Tanner Manley, and Michael, John, Thomas, and Sarah McCarter. Great grandchildren are Declan and Leland McCarter. Cousins are Sandra Manley, Leslie Winter, Megan Gangl, Jim Caldwell, Lucy Smith, and Kathryn, Doug and Christine Merriman.

A memorial service to honor Jeanne's life will be held Nov. 3, 2024, at First Congregational UCC Church, Lake Mills, WI. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with the service at 2 p.m. Refreshments will follow at Seward Hall (lower level of the church).

Special thanks to the supportive team at Rainbow Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Jefferson County or First Congregational UCC Church of Lake Mills, WI.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com