Frances Willkomm
April 1, 1949 -
September 7, 2024
Frances Ann “Penny” Willkomm (Kossow) passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, after a brief illness, with her family at her side. Penny was born on April 1, 1949, to Richard and Florence Kossow in Milwaukee WI.
Penny attended St. Thomas Catholic Grade School in Waterford and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Burlington, WI, Class of 1967. During high school, Penny was active in cheerleading. Penny worked for Catholic Knights Insurance Co., in Milwaukee, after high school.
Penny met her husband, John, when he was home on leave from the Army in 1967. They were married on May 15, 1971, and spent 53 years together.
Penny and John owned and operated Earl’s Club for 46 years, until their retirement in 2016. After retiring, they enjoyed traveling together. She especially enjoyed their trips to Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, Scotland and Alaska. She enjoyed the outdoors and working in her flower garden.
Penny is survived by her loving husband, John; their son, Anthony of Racine, WI; her brothers Robert (Peggy) of Kenosha, WI, Gus (Evey) of Waterford, WI and Ed (Judy) Kossow of Henderson, NV. She is further survived by many sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Florence; her sister, Karen Meyer; her in-laws, Clarence and Edna Willkomm and a sister-in-law and several brothers-in-law.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Lukes Hospital Neurological ICU and Hospice for their compassionate care provided to Penny.
Service Info
Funeral services honoring Penny's life will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1501 172nd Avenue, Paris, WI.
Interment will be held in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
A visitation for Penny will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home.
An additional visitation will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Wounded Warriors, 230 W Monroe St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60606 (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ ) or Veterans Honor Flight, 1405 South Fern Street, #702 Arlington, VA 22202 https://www.honorflight.org/ ) would be appreciated by the family.
Posted by:
Diane M LangmeierJohn so sorry to hear the News of Penny's passing. So many memories from the Earl's Days. Sending my Sympathy to you and the Family. She always had a SMILE on her face. HUGS Diane Horton Langmeier
Posted by:
Joan HuberJohn Sorry to read about your loss of your wife. Many memories were made in your beautiful life. God Bless Joan (Rhey) Huber
Posted by:
John FrostTo John and family - my condolences for the passing of Penny. She was always a breath of fresh air when friends and I would visit Earl's Club. You 2 were special and the fact that you shared this adventure made it even better. The photo here shows the smile and love of life I remembered. I think of you often with fondness when passing to old location. We had some wonderful times. All my best ... John Frost
Posted by:
Charlene MyersJohn and family, Prayers of comfort and peace in the loss of Penny. Hugs, Charlene
