Reginia “Jean” Giese, 99, died Sunday, April 30, 2023, at a local hospital following a short illness. She was currently a resident of Grancare Gardens Assisted Living in Green Bay but had lived most of her life in Kunesh. The daughter of Albert and Roxye (Bratcher) Barke was born, August 18, 1923, in Louisville, KY.
When Jean was five, her family moved to the Green Bay area. When she was 16, Jean got her first job at Green Bay Tent and Awning, making tents for the troops during WWII. She married John Giese in February of 1946. They moved to Kunesh where the couple ran a dairy farm for many years. It wasn’t unusual for her to be on the tractor plowing a field and then go home and make dinner. If a tractor broke down, she would hop off and figure out how to fix it. The couple had to give up farming when John developed a heart condition. Too young to retire, Jean took a job at Carver Boat in Pulaski where she worked until her retirement. For several years after retirement, she cut out and painted lawn ornaments. She sold many of them, but the real benefit for her was making them. Jean was still mowing her lawn at 97 years old and was known to shovel snow against her family’s advice.
Jean loved children and they loved her. Neighborhood children often came over to spend time with her. She has also been a very special aunt to her two nieces and three nephews. While working at Carver she became friends with coworker John Kurzynski and his wife Mary. She became an adopted grandmother to their two sons, David and Brian. They brought much happiness to her life.
In 2022, due to poor health Jean moved to Grancare Gardens Assisted Living. She loved being around people and having her meals prepared for her. She went to every activity they had including saying the rosary… despite not being Catholic. Jean had many scrapbooks and kept a diary everyday of her life since she was 16 years old.
Survivors include her nieces: Barbara Stephens, Mission Viejo, CA and Sandra (Jim) Jacques, Saukville; three nephews: Gary Kriescher, Daniel Kriescher, and Keith Kriescher, all of Green Bay; and her good friend and cousin, Emmie Jean Barke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; sisters: Marcine May and Janice Kriescher.
Friends are invited to gather with family at Peace Lutheran Church, 1954 County Rd. U, Green Bay, on Saturday, May 6, from 9-11 a.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. with Pastor Stuart Dornfeld officiating. Burial will follow in Kunesh Cemetery.
Jean’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staffs at Grancare Gardens and St. Vincent Hospital. Your care and concern for Jean was very much appreciated.
Online condolences may be offered at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.