Racine – Jeane Margaret Staaf passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Hospice at the wonderful age of 98. Jeane was born in Racine on January 15, 1918, during one of the worst blizzards in the city’s history. Her parents were Ivar Youngquist and Margaret Anheuser Youngquist.
Jeane grew up, and attended schools, in Racine and Kenosha. She graduated from Horlick in 1936. She attended and graduated from the Racine-Kenosha County Normal School in 1938 and began a long teaching career that expanded into the mid 80’s. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Dominican College in 1956. Her teaching career took her from rural schools including Bristol State Graded, Liberty Corners, and Berryville to Howell, SC Johnson and Dr. Jones in Racine.
On February 6, 1944, she married KO Staaf at Trinity Lutheran Church in Racine and lived in Kenosha County in a house they built on Lakeshore Road (Sheridan Road). KO passed away in 1997. They loved to travel and did so whenever possible. Their travels took them to Europe several times, Turkey, Russia, the Holy Land, South America, and the United States. They caught the cruising bug when travel became more difficult and enjoyed the Panama Canal and Alaska.
Jeane loved clothes, shoes, purses, dolls and going out for a drive, especially in the convertible with the top down. She loved trips to NYC, Italy, and St. Louis to visit grandchildren, great grandchildren and to be a tourist! Her cat, Six Dinner Sid, was a special joy in her life.
Jeane is a longtime member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter DS. She was active with Retired Teachers and was a member of Living Faith Lutheran Church (formerly Atonement).
Jeane is survived by her children, Maggie (the late, Stan) Gruenwald of Racine, Peter (Jan) of Pinehurst, NC, and Naples, FL, and a nephew, Charlie Schneebli of Florida. She has 8 grandchildren: Kristine Bendixen (Ryan) of Denver, CO,Kate Owen (Kevin) of Charlottesville, VA., Peter M. Staaf (Andrew Thompson) of Washington DC, Jennifer Sisul (Scott) of St.Louis, MO., Karoline Steckley Meng (Cristian) of Trieste, Italy, Ed Steckley (Heather) of New York, Lee Gruenwald (Michele Linsmeier) of Mequon and Laurie Wegmann (Marty) of Port Washington.
There are 8 great grandchildren: Lauren and Lizzie Bendixen, Nathan and Audrey Gruenwald, Eva Meng, Charlotte and Kieran Owen,and Bridget Sisul.
Services will be held at Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Avenue, Racine, on Saturday, September 24, at 11:00am. Visitation will take place on Friday night, September 23, at Draeger Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Racine, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. Visitation will continue at church on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Green Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha. Memorials may be given to Living Faith Lutheran Church, PEO Sisterhood, Chapter, DS, or the Wisconsin Humane Society.
The family wishes to thank Phil and Sandy Gavin for their love and support, Rumi Stefanova, the Wheaton Franciscan Hospice, and the nurses and helpers on the 3rd floor. A special thank you to Dani at WF.
F. Smith says
My condolences to the family of Ms. Jeane Staaf for the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. During such a time as this, the resurrection hope can be a real source of comfort. Jesus promised at John 5:28 that millions now dead will hear his voice and come out from their graves. What joy you will feel when you are reunited with Ms. Staaf in the near future, right here on earth.
Racine Area Retired Educators Association says
Our organization, the RAREA, extends its sympathy to the family of Jeane, who was an active member after her retirement from The Racine Unified School District in 1985. May she rest in peace.
Anonymous says
My sympathy and prayers to her family. I always enjoyed being with Jeane and sharing all we had to share. I especially remember her birthday party at Maggie’s when she stated ” I don’t know why I am still here.” What a gracious lady. She will not be forgotten. I am so fortunate to have had her as a friend and PEO sister.
Bernice Kissinger