Jean Eloise Causemaker

Jean Eloise Causemaker, 80, of Atkinson, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 11, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at her home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Atkinson.  Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht will celebrate.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Atkinson.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  A Recitation of the Rosary will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. prior to the visitation, at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Atkinson or the Jean Causemaker Memorial Fund which will be distributed amongst Jean’s favorite charities.

Jean was born August 7, 1942, the daughter of Peter and Rachel (Lootens) Verkruyse, in Geneseo, IL.  She graduated from Atkinson High School, Class of 1960.  From her first marriage, she raised 4 loving daughters. She then married William “Bill” Plunkett.  He preceded her in death on February 19, 1994.  Jean found love once more with her beloved “Toot”.  On November 23, 2006, Jean married Stanley “Toot” Causemaker. Jean loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was their biggest cheerleader while she attended all their events. Her family was her world and even in her last days she felt joy surrounded by her daughters and those that loved her most. Jean was always on the move! Whether it was fishing, visiting with friends, hitting the jackpot at a casino, or attending church groups, she always had a smile on her face. Jean and Toot enjoyed spending time at Bucket’s Landing, her cabin in Missouri, where they loved fishing, watching sunsets on the dock, and making memories with family and friends, old and new.  Some of her favorite times at Bucket’s were holidays when the house was filled with love and laughter. She was a member of Cursillo Group, Atkinson School Board, St. Anthony’s Church Financial Board, Ladies of Jerusalem (LOJ WOW Group), the Altar and Rosary Society, and many more.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband, Stanley “Toot” Causemaker; daughters: Valerie (Loren) Jackson of Annawan, Verna (Mike) Townsend of Annawan, Vanessa (John) Addis of Annawan, Clara Loza of Colombia, South America; Gram’s grandchildren: Kara Lawrence, Kale Lawrence, Kristi (Marcus) Mason, Elyse (Josh) Wolf, Cassie (Sean) Wells, Aron (Branden) Bowden, Jordan (Austin) Peterson, Travis (Sara) Looney, Ross (Shannon) Addis, Victoria (Sam) Bair, and William Addis; GG’s greats: Jayden, Jackson, Ezrah, Kinley, Jase, Ellie, Jameson, Bryer, Brooks, Charlie, Mac, Bennett, Scotlyn, Jennings, and one on the way, and step greatgrandchild, Amarah. Stepchildren: Doug (Kris) Plunkett of Naperville, IL, Dianne (Joe) Bernhard of Camdenton, MO, Doug (Susan) Causemaker of Coal Valley, Karlene (Dan) Olson of Colona, David (Patti) Causemaker of Greenwood, IN, and Danny (Andi) Causemaker of Indianapolis, IN.; several step grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jo (Mike) Cherry of Geneseo and Kathy Tipple of Ballwin, MO; sister-in-law, Rose Verkruyse; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Rachel Verkruyse; daughter, Vickie Lawrence; husband, Bill Plunkett; great grandson, Sean VanOpdorp; brother, Bruce (Lois) Verkruyse; sister, Gladys (Bernie) Roesner; brother-in-law, Tom Tipple; and numerous angel babies.