Jennifer J. Wheelen

Jennifer “Jen” J. Wheelen of Norfolk, NE passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2016 at a Minneapolis, MN hospital at the age of 43.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating.  Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at St. Luke Lutheran Church with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Jen was born on August 19, 1973 in Sioux City, IA. She graduated from Emerson-Hubbard High School in 1991 and moved to Norfolk, NE where she worked as a nanny. She later was employed as a manager at Sitel & Wiese Research, worked as a bartender at The Depot (where she made some of the best drinks in town) and the past three years was a sales rep at U.S. Cellular. Jen was an amazing daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed reading, going to movies, being around her dogs Lily and Rayne and spending time with her family and friends.  Jen loved kids – she had an unbreakable bond with each of her nieces and nephews (she was their Auntie Jen) and was a godmother for many of her friend’s children. Jen was a great listener and was often the sounding board for many of her friends, offering advice or just a shoulder to lean on. Jen loved the color blue (like her beautiful blue eyes), peacock feathers and butterflies. She was a member at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson. Jen is survived by her mother, Dianne (Ron) Fuchser of Emerson, NE; father, Martin Wheelen of Sioux City, IA; sisters, Heather Wheelen and her daughter Sophia of Norfolk, NE; Tessa (Chris) Lynch and their children Blake, Kayden, Dayvaney and Aaysen of Elkhorn, NE; Katie (Nick) Manganaro and their children Cruz and Leo of Omaha, NE; brother, Josh (Ashley) Fuchser and their children DeLaney, Hudson and Lynken of Emerson, NE; grandfather, LeRoy Fuchser of Emerson, NE; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Jen is preceded in death by her grandparents, Verna Jenson, Otto Jenson, Vern Sorenson, Donna Fuchser, Betty Fuchser, Forrest Wheelen and Bonnie Burkhalter.  Jen truly lived her life to the fullest and touched the lives of so many in such a positive way. She had a radiant smile that lit up every room she walked into. Jen lived by the mantra “refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.”