Josephine “Jo” Anne Aulick

Josephine "Jo" Anne Aulick, age 90, formerly of Thomson, Illinois, and most recently a resident of Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, with her daughters by her side.

A Funeral Mass will be held 12 noon, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna, Illinois, with Father James Keenan as Celebrant. A memorial visitation will be held prior to the Mass from 10:30 - 11:45 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Burial of ashes will be later at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Antigo, Wisconsin.

Jo was born on June 27, 1936, as Josephine Anne Aulik, in Neva, Wisconsin, to William and Rose (Jicha) Aulik. She worked in the summers as a governess for the Kraft family during her teenage years. She graduated from Antigo High School, Class of 1954. She married her former husband, Robert (Bob) Vanderberg on December 28, 1955, in Madison, WI. She later went back to her maiden name Aulik but add a “c” (Aulick) for business purposes. While living in Madison, Jo worked selling Kirby vacuum cleaners and as a caregiver to a disabled woman. There, she and Bob welcomed their first child, Michael, in 1957.

After Bob's graduation from the University of Wisconsin, the family returned to Antigo, joining the family potato brokerage business and welcoming daughter Michelle in 1959. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bob's National Guard unit was activated, prompting a relocation to Washington State, where son Brian was born in 1962. At the end of Bob's military service, they returned to Antigo. Their son Robert Jr. was born in 1963 but sadly passed away the same day.

In 1964, the family moved to Lake Bronson, Minnesota, where Bob worked for Ore-Ida Foods and Jo served as a bookkeeper. A year later, their family was blessed through the adoption of their daughter, Are'anne, who joined them at just three weeks old.

In 1967 Bob's career with Ore-Ida took the family to Ontario, Oregon, where Jo managed the company grocery store, served as payroll manager, and worked as a counselor for Indian Affairs. 1968 brought another move to San Antonio, Texas, where Jo discovered a passion for sales and leadership. In 1970, she joined Sarah Coventry Jewelry as a Fashion Show Director and quickly rose through the ranks to Unit Director, Branch Manager, and ultimately Regional Manager. In 1973, they moved to Boerne, Texas.

After returning to the Midwest and settling in Thomson, Illinois, Jo launched an in-home silk flower business called Country Peddler and beautifully designed the wedding flowers for both of her daughters, as well as countless corsages for special occasions. This led to her opening Jo’s General Store, where she sold her handcrafted silk flower arrangements and a variety of old-fashioned foods and goods on consignment.

In 1987, Jo partnered with her daughter, Michelle and son-in-law, Glenn to establish Wildwood Farms, a squirrel corn feeder company. She remained actively involved in the business until retirement.

Jo was an accomplished gardener whose flower beds were admired throughout the community. Local florists often visited simply to enjoy the beauty of her gardens. She cultivated large vegetable gardens, preserving much of her harvest through canning and freezing. She also crafted homemade wine and sauerkraut.

A gifted knitter, Jo, created sweaters, scarves, mittens, and hats for family and friends. Her talents extended to painting and drawing, becoming a certified Bob Ross painting instructor. She encouraged her children to develop their own artistic abilities and inspired many others through her creativity.

Deeply rooted in her faith, Jo loved God and hosted Bible studies in her home. She was also known as an exceptional cook and enjoyed sharing meals with family and friends.

Jo found joy in simple pleasures: puzzles, a cup of tea, fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, tending flowers, and watching sunsets. After moving into town, she continued her sunset tradition at Potter's Marsh, one of her favorite places along the Mississippi.

In her final years, Jo was lovingly cared for by her daughters Michelle and Are'anne whose love and support brought comfort and joy to her life.

Jo is survived by her daughters: Michelle “Shelly” (Glenn) Kreuder of Boone, Iowa, Are’anne (Randy) Arb of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; her son, Brian (Brenda) Vanderberg of Boerne, Texas; her 7 grandchildren, Dr Amanda (Adam) Kreuder Krull, Christopher Kreuder, Matthew (Sara) Kreuder, Kayla Kreuder, Christopher Vanderberg, Michelle (Stephen) Hassett, Jeffrey (Mackenzie) Arb; her great grandchildren, Lauren, Addy, Charlie, Maeva, Darcy and Charlotte; her brother, Thomas Aulik; along with a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rose Aulik; her sons, Robert Vanderberg Jr, Michael Vanderberg; her brothers, Robert (Mary) Aulik, William Aulik, Jerome (Margaret) Aulik; her sisters, Rita (Gene) Mattek and Marion (Mel) White and sisters-in-law, Nancy Crowe, Joan Aulik, as well as nieces and nephews.