Nancy Jo (Peanuts) Hoesley, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 7, 2016. She was born on June 14, 1937 in Milwaukee to Alfred and Helen (Berg) Koltes. She lived in Fargo, Black River Falls and La Crosse, Wisconsin where she graduated from Central High School in 1955.

Peanuts and Donnie were united in marriage on November 23, 1961. They were best friends and celebrated over fifty-four years together. They made their home in La Crosse where she enjoyed taking care of her family, boating on the Mississippi, Friday fish, ceramics, shopping, beautifully decorating her home, knitting slippers, crocheting blankets, and making lefse to celebrate her Norwegian heritage. Her specialty was cooking and baking for her loved ones. Nothing would put a smile on her face more than watching her family eat. She could make a recipe look like a picture from her “Taste of Hoesley” recipe box. We could all count on her to make our favorite birthday treat: carrot, rum, or spice cake, and peanut butter pie.

Many cookies were made in her kitchen. Rum balls for “Trevie,” butter cookies for “Poopsie,” low carb carrot cookies for “Torrester” and lots of chocolate variations for “Boo.”  At Christmas she had more varieties than a bakery. Not to mention her “nourishing” soup. Family was everything to her and she was everything to her family.

Always together, Peanuts and Don enjoyed loading their young children onto the pontoon and speed boats, painting and designing birdhouses and other woodworking projects, watching the Los Angeles Lakers and Packer games, having Peanuts do the talking when selling one of the many cars Don fixed up, and family vacations up north. They were often found talking at the same time when telling a story or coaching a grandchild. They took care of each other. Recently Peanuts began patiently giving him cooking lessons. The smile on her face recalling his progress was priceless.

Characteristically witty, she made everyone smile with her clever letters, words, actions and texts. She had such an outgoing personality and was so much fun to be with. She was a beautiful woman inside and out.

With their two children, Andrea and Gregg, she enjoyed all the moments that a close family had to offer. She was a daily example of thoughtful gestures, love and support and always knew the right thing to say or do. She was their home. The house was constantly full of people and laughter- their friends would come over and want to hang out with Peanuts. A typical summer day would include being out on the river at the beach with the other regulars and then straight to Johnnies for supper. Through her they learned what life is all about and how to raise their own children. Peanuts was the heart of us all and she always will be.

She was adored by four grandchildren, whom she proudly called her“TJ’s.” She loved watching hundreds of football, softball, volleyball and basketball games, tennis matches and track meets. She had the joy of being there from their first steps to their first time on water ski’s, all with her arms in the air cheering them on. She had a way of connecting with each of them- from doing workbooks, or telling funny stories about Grandpa or their own parents, to the contest of who was Grandma’s best eater to who got the honor of wearing the “Grandma’s little helper” apron when learning how to make dumplings, pumpkin bars or chex mix. They looked forward to their treat bags on the river; each contained their favorite goodies plus a hidden black jelly bean (her favorite) that would always get handed back to her with a giggle. In addition, her family all looked forward to the Halloween feast. Through the years each grandchild was convinced they were her favorite. And they were.

Peanuts is survived by her husband, Don Hoesley; her daughter, Andrea (Dave) Washa; her son, Gregg (Jane) Hoesley; her grandchildren, Trevor John and Taylor Jane Hoesley, Tore Jo and Tyanna Jane Washa; brothers-in-law, Frank (Tania) Hoesley, Harry (Carol) Hoesley; sister-in-law, Mary Wieman and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by very special friends, Roger and Judy Betz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Helen (Berg) Koltes; her grandparents, Henry and Birdine Berg; her step-dad, A.D. Norman; special aunts and uncles; her sister, Marlene Leege; brother-in-law, Richard Wieman; and her mother-in-law, Irene Hoesley.

A family celebration of life will take place this summer.

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.

Familie for alltid