Jillian Maus Obituary

Jillian Frances (Lowney) Maus, age 47, of New London, was called home by our Lord on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, with her family by her side. She had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in October 2019 which quickly advanced to Stage 4. She was born on July 30, 1977, in New London, Wisconsin. She attended Most Precious Blood Catholic elementary school and graduated from New London High School in 1995. She graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in 1999 and was hired for her first "big girl" job at Humana in De Pere. After moving back to the New London area, she worked at Rawhide Boys Ranch. With the birth of their second child, she was blessed to be able to stay home with their daughters for two years, then returning to the work force with the City of New London for 14 years before retiring due to health reasons. It was in February 1995 during her senior year of high school that she met the love of her life, DJ Maus. They were united in marriage on June 26, 1999. They were blessed to celebrate their 25th Anniversary this summer in June.

She is survived by the loves of her life: her husband, David (DJ) Maus Jr. and daughters, Sadie Maus and Kelsey Maus; mother Donna (Roger) Besaw; father Mark (Mary) Lowney; siblings: Jessica (Eric) Zurcher, Jackie Lowney and Justin (Christina) Lowney; father and mother-in-law: Dave and Cindy Maus; sisters-in-law: Denise Knudsen, Darcie Forslund, Doreen Maus (fiancé Brad Kuske); bonus mom: Kathy Dunnihoo; bonus grandmothers: Geraldine Detert and Rose Besaw along with step-siblings: Jodi, Donna, Ben, Isaiah, Sara and Ryan.

Jill often stated that by first becoming an aunt it helped prepare her for being a great mom. However, all her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart: Cody, Lidia (Ethan), Kyle, Abby, Clayton, Rickey, Kevin, Hayden, Madison, Riley, Maiah, Makenah, Carter, Lauryn, Ireland and Matthew along with great nephews: Calvin and James. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and wonderful friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Francis and Eileen Collar, Leonard and Lorraine Lowney, Lawrence Detert, Bob and Eva Behnke; godparents: Dale Collar and Sister Mary Ellen (Frances) Lowney; uncles: Brian and Tom Lowney; aunt: Sue Montgomery, and stepsister: Robyn Hansen.

Jill had a strong foundation and upbringing in her Catholic faith thanks in part to her Grandma Collar and her godmother, Sister Mary Ellen Lowney, aka Aunt Fran. One of Jill's biggest joys was hosting family and friends at their home for cook outs, pool parties and Christmas family get togethers. She was never afraid to laugh, especially at herself. She enjoyed taking pictures during her daughter's many sporting events and scrapbooking. She volunteered her time with sports and being a part of the PTO at Parkview Elementary for seven years. As a toddler she was given the nickname Jilly Bean (Jilly) that stuck with her for the rest of her life. She spoke in movie and TV quotes, most notably from Steel Magnolias, Will and Grace and Schitt's Creek.

The Funeral Mass for Jill will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church (608 E Main St.) in Weyauwega with Fr. Kris Mekala officiating. A visitation for Jill will be held at the church on Monday, September 23 from 3:00-7:00 pm and on Tuesday from 9:00 am - 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to DJ so the family may give to others in need, just as so many generously gave to them throughout Jill's fight.

Special thank you to UW Madison, ThedaCare Oncology, and ThedaCare Hospice for the care they provided to Jill.

In the last few years, the following quote by actor/comedian Norm MacDonald, had come to mean a lot to Jill; "When I hear a guy lost a battle to cancer, that really did bother me, that that's a term. It implies that he failed and that somebody else that defeated cancer is heroic and courageous." While Jill would be the first one to celebrate another person's recovery from cancer, it was important to her that it was known she never gave up. Jill did not lose a battle to cancer. She never lost her will to fight or her sense of humor and ability to laugh (especially at herself). She never lost her love for her friends and family and never lost her faith in God. And it's because of this, that although cancer is what took her life, Jill still won.