Jean M. Holdorf, age 97, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Appleton Retirement Community.

Jean was born in Appleton on November 20, 1928, to the late Walter and Margaret (Leist) Steinacker.  She grew up in Appleton where she attended St. Paul School and went on to graduate with the class of 1946 at Appleton High School.

On June 5, 1948, she was united in marriage to Herman Holdorf at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton.  The couple enjoyed 53 years together until Hermans passing in November of 2001.

Jean worked as a supervisor at Zwicker Knitting Mills for over 28 years.  She then joined forces with some friends and started a travel group business taking people to casinos by bus throughout the Midwest.

Jean was an active member at St. Paul Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Ladies Aid and the Past Presidents Club.  She also was a member of the Sunshine Club at church and led the group in delivering Christmas cookies to shut ins throughout Appleton during the holidays for over 20 years.  She enjoyed playing cards and bowling.

Jean is survived by her four children:  Stacey (Paul) Manske, Muskego, Reid (Joan) Holdorf, Hortonville, Janice (Brian) Shaw, Appleton, and Mark (Rebecca) Holdorf, TX; 10 grandchildren:  Kristen (Dave), Aaron (Emily), Andrea (Cindy), Eric (Ashley), Melissa (Tyler), Ryan (Courtney), Anna (Andy), Katie (Zach), Michael (Macy), and Randall; 19 great grandchildren; and 2 sisters-in-law:  Jean Holdorf and Evelyn Steinacker.  She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Margaret Steinacker, her husband Herman Holdorf, and brother Bruce Steinacker.

A funeral service will take place at 11 am on Thursday, June 11, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 302 N. Morrison St. Appleton.  Friends may visit at the church on Thursday from 9 am until 10:45 am.  Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Ladies Aid at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Bristol Hospice, especially Melissa and Keira, and the staff at Appleton Retirement Community, especially Shannon and Kristina for the compassionate care given to Jean.