Jeanette A. Schleifer

Benton, Wisconsin Jeanette A. Schleifer, 91, of Benton, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in her home. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2019, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City with Rev. Jasmine Tesdahl officiating, with burial to follow in Shawnee Cemetery, New Diggings, Wisconsin. Jeanette was born on August 7, 1927, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Arthur and Sarah (Marsh) Halvorson. She married John H. Schleifer on June 20, 1953, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John preceded her in death on October 4, 1995. Jeanette was raised by her aunts; Alice, Emma and Nettie, each of which were very special to her. Jeanette graduated from Wauwatosa High School. As a pioneer for her time, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with a degree in physical education in 1951 where she received the nickname “Torchy” because of her flowing red hair. Jeanette taught PE at Oshkosh High School for two years and then taught for three years at the school now known as Jackie Robinson Middle School in Milwaukee. Jeanette and John moved from Milwaukee to Benton to start life anew in 1956. They prospered there making a great life for their family and enjoying their many friends. Jeanette was at no loss for hobbies, as an expert quilter, making many beautiful quilts for her grandchildren, an avid card player, playing in the same card club for over 50 years, specializing in cribbage, bridge, euchre, Hearts, etc., a green thumb in the garden with beautiful flowers and hearty vegetables, an avid golfer on the links, a cheerful water-aerobics teacher and an excellent piano player. Survivors include three daughters, Ruth (Andrew) Newman, Glenview, IL, Alicia (Tom) Wilson, Waunakee, WI, and Marion (Eric) Lovell, Benton, WI; a son, John Henry (Tina) Schleifer, Spirit Lake, IA; a sister, Ruth Binney, Oro Valley, AZ; eleven grandchildren, Paul (Allison), Elizabeth (fiancée Michael Kluczny) and Jonathan Newman, Holly (Samuel Seering), Hillary (Forrest Olson) and Hannah Wilson, and William (Mary) and Robert (Danielle) Schleifer, Alexis Fladseth, Dakota and Zach (fiancée Brittany Ginter) Lovell; and three great-grandchildren, Rosemary and Miranda Schleifer and Stephen Schleifer. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bob and a sister, Dorothy. Memorial donations may be made to the Benton Community Fund, P.O. Box 253, Benton, WI 53803.