Jeanie Sheahan

Jeanie Marie Sheahan passed away peacefully with her husband at her side after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Jeanie was born on October 5, 1945 to Frances and Louise (Bauer) Deitelhoff in Cazenovia, WI. She was a middle child of seven siblings. Jeanie graduated from Weston High School in 1963. She played in the band, was the editor of the newspaper, a member of the yearbook staff, and, in her senior year, Homecoming Queen.

Upon graduating from high school, Jeanie moved to Madison, WI. She worked as a nanny while attending the University of Wisconsin. After completing two years of classes, she began working at Sears before landing at American Family Insurance, where she enjoyed a long career specializing in health-related insurance services. She served the company for 35 years.

While living in Madison, she met Lawrence (Larry) Sheahan, also from Cazenovia. On July 2, 1966, the two married at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Cazenovia. The couple had four children—James, Thomas, Laurie, and Julie.

Never one to have grass grow under her feet, throughout her life she played many sports, including softball, bowling, and volleyball. For many years, she bowled in a league with her husband, Larry. After retiring, she stayed connected with co-workers through an “AmFam” bowling league, but her real passion was volleyball. Often in the summer, you could find her at the Sports Pub playing sand volleyball and, in the winter, in countless rec leagues around the city. She also participated in numerous Badger State games and traveled the country playing in the Senior Games. Jeanie was an avid Badger and Brewer fan, even meeting Robin Yount. She loved participating in the annual Crazy Legs event and attending as many of her grandchildren's events as possible.

When she wasn’t on the court, she would likely be baking, gardening, or spending time with the grandchildren. Often their home would be filled with the wonderful aromas of cookies, apple pies, or zucchini muffins. At harvest time, she turned her focus to canning, making her famous salsa, refrigerator dill pickles (known fondly as “Grandma Pickles”), and apple sauce. The grandkids always received special treats from Grandma every time she saw them.

She had a spirit for adventure. Never turning down an opportunity to travel to new places and always planning the next family vacation. It didn’t matter if it was a weekend camping trip to Indian Trails, cross-country skiing in Door County, renting a houseboat on the Mississippi, or an excursion through Ireland; she was all in.

Jeanie is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Lawrence Sheahan; children, Jim (Mindi), Tom (Jenny), Laurie (Matt), and Julie; grandchildren, Molly, Eliot, and Kendell Sheahan, and Curtis (Anna), Spencer and Jacob Sheahan; siblings Helen (Kenny) Dietz, Eileen (Richard) Smith, Cyril (Maribeth) Deitelhoff, Karen (Al) Wiltgen, and Mary (Dennis) Schluter.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Louise Deitelhoff, her brother Raymond (Violet) Deitelhoff, in-laws Frank and Julia (Johnson) Sheahan, niece Stephanie Schluter, nephews Ryan Dargel and Trevor Wiltgen, and brother-in-law Leroy Schumacher.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704. A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Tuesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, WI. There will be a short visitation prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m., and a luncheon will follow the service at the Church. Jeanie will be buried at St. Bridgit’s Cemetery in Cazenovia.

Jeanie developed lifelong relationships with many people from all aspects of her life. Their support and friendship were invaluable. The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice, Homestead Living, and Jeanie’s in-home caregiver, Teri, for their wonderful care and support.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Agrace Hospice Care, agrace.org.

To view this obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257