Jennifer Lynn (Emmerich) Wantoch
1981-2024
Jennifer Lynn (Emmerich) Wantoch, 42, of Omaha, Neb. (formerly of Medford) passed away on Feb. 3, 2024. Jennifer was born on June 25, 1981 in Medford, to Julee K. (Senoraske) Emmerich and Lorin M. Emmerich. She attended Medford area schools until her graduation in 1999. Jennifer was active in band and tennis. After high school she received her bachelor’s degree through the University of River Falls as well as two Masters degrees through Hamline University in Minnesota. She began her career with St. Croix County in Hudson, while living in downtown St. Paul. While there she became active in a number of organizations that truly defined who she was. She felt very passionate about equality for all people which was evident in the work she devoted to helping so many. She was an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She fought for women’s rights and was part of the DFL. She spent time volunteering at the church near her home staying with the homeless overnight so they had a place to stay. She even went so far as to invite some homeless into her home to get them off the street when it was exceptionally cold. Those who knew her most will always remember these things as they truly were who she was.
She moved to Omaha, Neb. to pursue her career in finance as a Regulatory Compliance Manager for a large bank. She was working for KeyCorp in the same capacity at the time of her passing. Jennifer met her husband, Mike Wantoch while in Omaha. She loved her life with Mike, their two fur babies, Coco and Kevin, and her new stepdaughter, Hope. She recently became a grandparent when Hope had a beautiful baby boy (Benjamin) that she adored.
Jennifer was an avid reader and would always have a book with her wherever she went. She also loved Jeopardy. She even had an alarm set on her phone so she wouldn’t miss the show. A huge passion for Jennifer was the Packers! Living in Omaha never changed her love for all things Wisconsin – beer brats, cheese curds and THE PACKERS! As much as she loved her Packer sweatshirt, she never missed an opportunity to dress up in her heels and red lipstick and enjoy the finer things life had to offer. She made friends wherever she went and loved her friends like family. She had a huge heart and will be missed by so many.
Jennifer will be sadly missed by her husband, Mike Wantoch of Omaha, Neb.; mother and father, Julee and Lorin Emmerich of Tomahawk; sister, Heather (Chris) Koncar of Tomahawk; niece, Aubree Clausnitzer of Tomahawk; stepdaughter, Hope (Will) Wantoch of Omaha, Neb.; maternal grandparents, Adam and Lynn Senoraske of Tomahawk; paternal grandmother, Rita Emmerich of Medford; mother-in-law, Gloria Krueger of Stanton, Neb.; sister-in-law, Sue (Brian) Bollich of Omaha, Neb.; Sheryl Concannon of Omaha, Neb.; two very special friends, Kati Matyka of Houston, Texas and Nick (Becca) Sulzer of Mosinee, and many, many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as so many special friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Kenneth Emmerich; and aunt, Sheila Brandner.
A Celebration of Life service is being held to honor all she loved on Feb. 17, 2024 at Bootleggers Supper Club, outside Tomahawk, (2001 Indian Pine Point Rd, Tomahawk, WI) with Pastor Nancy Amacher officiating. The service will begin at 10 a.m. with a prayer service at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will follow. An additional memorial service will also be held in Omaha on March 23, 2024 at UNO Thompson Alumni Center from noon until 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made which will be designated at a later date by the family in a way that honors Jennifer’s memory.
Paid Obituary 148434
