Jill Tracy

Jill Marie Tracy (Riling), 77, passed away peacefully on September 3rd, 2026, in West Bend, Wisconsin, surrounded by love and leaving behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and devotion.

Born on August 1st, 1949, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Jackson and Joyce Riling, Jill graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1967. Her life took a beautiful turn while working as a bank teller in Gaylord, Michigan, where she met the love of her life, Ron Tracy. Married in 1977, Jill and Ron shared 35 wonderful years of true partnership and devotion until Ron’s passing in 2012.

Jill will be forever remembered for her selfless spirit and devotion to nurturing others. She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures, whether thrifting, refinishing furniture, sewing, tending her garden, or searching for rocks along the Great Lakes shores. Her love was poured into everything she made, especially her famous pasties and sugar cookies. Above all, Jill and Ron passed on a deep, enduring love for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior, a lasting legacy that will inspire their family for generations to come.

Jill adored her 13 grandchildren and cherished every moment with them, whether cheering at their sporting events, baking together, or simply enjoying their company. Each grandchild held a special place in her heart, and the memories they created together will be deeply cherished forever.

She is survived by her children: Caroline (Dave) Wessel, Jeff Tracy, Jennifer (Mike) Johnston, Jason Tracy, Jackson (Kelly) Tracy. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Alexandra (Wessel) Bemis and Jacob Wessel, Francesca, Joshua, and Charlotte Tracy, Chelsey (Johnston) Williams and Chantel Johnston, Natalie, Isabelle and Davin Tracy, Jackson, Connor and Nolan Tracy. Great grandchildren Judah & Dailee Williams and Douglas & Joseph Bemis. Brothers and sisters include: Jackson Jr. Riling, Jim (Karen) Riling, Jan (Jerry) Winkel, Jody (Tom) Arthurs, Jon (Christina) Riling, Jay Riling, Jeff (Shannon) Riling and Julie (Rance) Charboneau and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ronald Tracy, her father, Jackson Riling and mother, Joyce (Uren) Riling, brother Joel Riling and sister-in-law Diane (Guilleman) Riling; father-in-law, Neil Tracy, mother-in-law, Alice (St. John) Tracy, sister-in-law JoJean (Jagger) Tracy.

In keeping with her wishes, no traditional funeral service will be held. Instead, our family looks forward to honoring her memory with a private scattering of ashes and a celebration of her life in the summer of 2027, surrounded by the beauty of the Upper Peninsula she so deeply cherished.

Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Tracy family.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
• 225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185
• 262-534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com