Florence "Jo" Martinelli

Florence “Jo” Martinelli

August 16, 1931-January 19, 2024

Waunakee – Florence “Jo” (Bender) Martinelli, age 92, of Waunakee passed away peacefully on January 19, 2024.  She was born on August 16, 1931 in rural Viola, WI, the daughter of Byron Leo Bender and Zuey Zelma (Ambrose) Bender.

She graduated from Viola High School in 1949.  She attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Madison, WI. She graduated in 1952 and married Peter Martinelli on June 12, 1953.  Together they enjoyed fishing, bowling, and family gatherings.  She returned to school while raising five children and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1969.  She worked for Dane County Public Health for approximately 2 years but her main career was at the VA Hospital in Madison where she retired after nearly 30 years of employment.  She was most proud to have been a recipient of the Hands and Hearts Award presented by the Veterans Administration.

In her retirement, she enjoyed travel and a visit to all 50 states.  She loved working with flowers and caring for her many houseplants.  She was an avid Packer, Badger, and Cubs Fan.   She was a member of the United Methodist Church and enjoyed her weekly Bible Study Group.

Jo is survived by her children, Deb (Randy) Helleckson, Betty (Mike) King, Joan Sergenian, Lisa (Jeff) Ballweg, and Valerie (Russ) Kien, and grandchildren Valerie (Ben) Bilkey, Laurel (Kyle) Hoppman, Rick (Heather) Smythe, Kira Sergenian, Katie Sergenian (Chris Jauch), Jack Sergenian, Maverick Kien, Blaze Kien, 8 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter, her parents and siblings, Helen, Myron, William, Theodore, Byron, Bob, George, Don, Betty, and grandson Robert Smythe.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday Jan.26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q Waunakee. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials and donations to Crossroads United Methodist Church in Waunakee, WI or to a charity of your choice.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

 5785 Hwy Q

 Waunakee, WI