Janet Berenice "Jan" ("Gieske") Tolf

Janet Berenice “Jan” (Gieske) Tolf, 81, of Battle Creek died peacefully at home, with her family at her side on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. 

Jan was born September 16, 1943, at Leila Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan to Vincent H. and Lorena Mae (Guernsey) Gieske. She was a 1961 graduate of St. Philip Catholic Central High School. Jan was a voracious learner, obtaining her associate degree from Kellogg Community College, her bachelor’s degree from MSU and Olivet College and Masters work at MSU and WMU. Jan began her career as a phlebotomist at Lakeview General Hospital, later working at Leila Hospital as a medical laboratory technician. She and life-long friend Margaret Smith worked to develop the first Immunology department in Southwest Michigan. Jan had a passion for working with older adults and developed the Department of Senior Services at BCHS/BCBH, now known as Senior Health Partners. She commuted to Chelsea Community Hospital for 9.5 years, where she developed senior services, a volunteer department, a gift shop and ultimately senior housing. 

Upon her return to Battle Creek, she served as the Project Director and CEO of Northpoint Woods. After retiring from this role, Jan worked with Summit Point, Dr. Gary Wortz, and Jeanne Hickman to develop the Senior Diagnostic Center. Throughout her life, she worked with the Battle Creek Community Foundation and United Way on several projects. Her passion for the Mission of senior services and her devotion to staff and the residents of Northpoint Woods, with friendship, care and compassion became hallmarks of her service. 

Jan cites her mentors as her mom (Lorena Gieske), Margaret Smith and Brenda Hunt.

Jan was always on the go and always ready to help a friend in need! Her kids and family were her top priority. She enjoyed celebrations, conversations, and spending time with “Buzz”, Tammy, her grandkids and friends. Her hobbies included camping, reading, playing word games, working outdoors, listening to music, and playing sports- particularly her love of MSU. 

Jan was formerly married to Alan Lee Tolf Sr. and that union blessed them with a son, Alan Lee Tolf, Jr.(“Buzz”) and a daughter, Tammy Lorena (Tolf) Riippa. Jan loved and enjoyed her nieces and nephews as her own children, Terri Gieske, Jolene Reeves, Brenda (Steve) Regan, Todd & Jerry Gieske, Victor (Jes) Gieske, Jim (Nora) Gieske, Mari (Scott) Parks, Sherry (Frank) Hurlburt, Laurie Davis, Dave (Pam) Davis, Chester (Teressa) Keeton, Jackie (Gieske Monarch) and Janice (Gieske) Wedl. 

Dave Davis (“Davey”) and Jan enjoyed many sporting events and weekend breakfasts with conversations and love. Jan was a loyal friend and shared a treasured relationship with her lifelong friend of 80+ years, Bonnie Olson-Baker whom she dearly loved.

Through love and life, she adopted Theresa Patterer-Lambert, Scott O’Neill, Ann (Rex) Swank, Sharon Gregory, Tammy Maletta, LeAnn Cushman-Crouch, Xiao Fu and pen pal Kathy Johnston. 

Surviving are her son, Alan Lee (Lori Burress) Tolf of Battle Creek; daughter, Tammy Lorena (Daniel) Riippa of Battle Creek; seven grandchildren: Joseph Alton, Chet Tolf, Andrew Tolf, Anna (Bryon) Tolf-Cole, Adam O’Neill, Ashley (David) O’Neill-Hicks, Eston Tolf, Emmie Tolf (Fiancé Gaige Parker); and three great-grandchildren; Ahna Lambert, Camden Alan Tolf and Jeremiah Thomas Hicks. 

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings, Vincent L., Gerald L., James L., John L., Jack L., Joseph R., Jill G., and JoAnn G., one niece and two nephews. 

Friends will be received 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to celebrate Jan’s life will be held 3:00 p.m. following the visitation. At Jan’s request, cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions in Jan’s memory may be made to the www.faithandmedicine.foundation , her grandson Adam’s non-profit foundation for the support of faith and medical services www.faithandmedicine.foundation/give-support checks payable to Faith and Medicine Foundation. The memorial service will be live-streamed at https://vimeo.com/event/4764854.

Personal messages for Jan’s family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.