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Jean Nemschoff Obituary

Nemschoff, Jean

Jean Nemschoff, 90, formerly of Sheboygan, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, at Attic Angel Place-Haven in Madison, WI, where she happily resided since September 2011. Despite her Alzheimer's, Jean was able to establish herself in a new community where her fun personality came through. The caring staff enjoyed her as much as she enjoyed them.

Jean was born on January 5, 1923, in Council Bluffs, IA. She was an only child who moved often with her parents during her early years due to the Great Depression. Eventually they moved to Milwaukee where she was valedictorian at Riverside High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and met the love of her life, Leonard Nemschoff. In 1944 Jean completed college at Downer College in Milwaukee (now part of Lawrence University). Lenny enlisted to fight in WWII, leaving UW. They married (December 5,1943) and Jean followed Lenny through his training in Pomona, CA, and Brownsville, TX, before returning to Milwaukee while Lenny served in the Philippines and Japan. They had their first child, Mark, while Lenny was in the Army. Jean gave birth to Mark without Lenny at her side - as many young women did during those times. After Lenny returned from the war, Jean and Lenny lived in Milwaukee two years before moving to Sheboygan. Their second child, Muffin, was born there and Lenny started Nemschoff Chairs in 1950.

Jean was "the woman behind the man," hosting business guests and parties and having enduring faith in her husband's many ideas. Jean and Lenny's devotion to each other was remarkable. People often commented on the exemplary quality of their relationship.

Jean volunteered in many ways. She was PTA President, Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader and served on the boards of the Little Red School House, Catholic Social Services, YMCA, Hadassah, and Congregation Beth El Sisterhood. She also loved working with children -volunteering at the Early Learning Center and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center Preschool and reading to children in their elementary schools

Jean served as the Divorce Reconciliation Counselor at Sheboygan County Social Services. After retiring from that job, Jean had a brief career in women's retail sales.

Jean loved physical activity. She played tennis and may be the only resident to take her tennis racquet when moving into a dementia facility! She tried yoga before most people even knew what it was and Jean waterskied until she was 65 years old. Until the end Jean was dancing. She could never keep her feet still when music was playing. Staff at Attic Angels helped her dance even when she was sitting in a wheelchair because they had seen her "moves" when she was more mobile. Jean will be dancing forever in our hearts.

Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband Lenny and her parents, Edythe and Maurice Gilinsky. She is survived by her children Mark Nemschoff (Barbara Crisp) and Muffin (Joan) Alschuler (Edward), her grandchildren Amy Hellman (Peter), Paul Nemschoff (Anne), and Kevin Alschuler (Heather), and great-grandchildren Luke, Dia, and Liza Hellman, Leo and Max Nemschoff, and Morgan Alschuler.

Jean's funeral service will be at 11:30 AM on Friday, December 27th, TODAY at Ballhorn Funeral Home, 1201 N 8th St, Sheboygan, WI, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow immediately at Sheboygan Hebrew Cemetery, Kohler, WI. The family invites friends to a gathering at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center following interment.

A Shiva memorial service will be held at Attic Angel Place, 8301 Old Sauk Rd, Middleton, WI, at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 7th. Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jean's name to John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 608 New York Av, Sheboygan, WI 53081, Attic Angel Association, 640 Junction Rd, Madison, WI 53717, and Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

Jean's family wants to thank the staff at Attic Angels-Haven and at Agrace HospiceCare for the compassionate care they provided to Jean.

To sign the guestbook or light a candle in memory of Jean, visit: www.ballhornchapels.com

Published by Sheboygan Press on Dec. 27, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Jean Nemschoff

Not sure what to say?





Dear Muffin and Mark, Such a sad time for you and the family. A delightful and kind lady who will be missed by all who knew her. I remember dancing with Jean in the lounge of SSC when she lived there. Sweet memories of a sweet lady. Janet/The English CNA

Janet Zimmer

May 15, 2014

Such a lovely lady. So enjoyed working with Jean in retail sales during the years that we lived in Sheboygan. Blessings to your entire family.

Mary Ann Black
Ames IA

Mary Ann Black

May 10, 2014

Dear muffin I was very sad to read about your mother's passing. I have wonderful memories of our childhood years coming to your home for lunch from cooper school and brownies and.girl scouts with your mom as our leader. She and my mom are now rejoicing together. They both lived to be 90 years old and both suffered the dementia stage. I am still crying alot and missing my mom but it will get better. My prayers go out to you and your family. Love jojo

joanne wall

January 9, 2014

To all who knew her, she was a kind and gracious lady. My condolences to her family.

Francine Ehrman

January 1, 2014

I was sad to hear this news, I have great memories of Jean. She and Leonard were both wonderful people.
Larry Donoval

January 1, 2014

Muffin and family, I can truly say I was blessed to have the opportunity to help Jean be as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside. She always had that beautiful smile. I feel so lucky to have been the one to do her hair and nails these last few years. I loved to watch the smile that the simplest of things brought to her face. A new coat of polish or a precious four legged friend coming in to visit. I will miss her cheerful ways and her beautiful smile everyday. May your memories be as vivid as mine and help you find peace.

Nadine Topp

December 28, 2013

Dear Muffin & Mark,

We're so sorry to hear this sad news. With fond memories of both your Mom and Dad, please accept our deepest sympathies and know our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Our very warmest,

Mary, Suellen & Jamie

Jamie Cohen

December 28, 2013

I'm saddened to hear of Jean's passing. While my husband is an old friend of the Nemschoff family, I first met Jean through tennis. I enjoyed playing with her as much as she enjoyed the game. She was a dear, sweet lady. My condolences to the Nemschoff family.

Terra Richardson

December 28, 2013

my sympathy to you & your family. Jean was a wonderful friend to my mother & we remember her with love.

Susie Alpert Drazen

December 28, 2013

Dear Muffin, Eddie, and Mark, I have so many great memories of your mom and dad! Your mother was a very gracious lady. I enjoyed working with your mom at the Courthouse which is where I first got to know your dad. What a great couple they were. I extend my sympathy to you all.

diane neumann

December 27, 2013

MUFF- MARK AND FAMILIES ---- GREATER AND BETTER IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS ARE HARD TO FIND - YOURS HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BEST HERE AT CRYSTAL LAKE - OUR ENTIRE FAMILY GROUP SEND THEIR LOVE AND CONDOLENCES TO ALL OF YOU --- JEANNIE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON -- WE HAVE MISSED ALL OF YOU SO VERY MUCH BUT WE SHALL BE WITH JEAN AND LENNY AND ALL OF YOU - ALWAYS --- RUTH AND DAVE MANN AND FAMILY

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark and Muffin, I have so many memories of you and your wonderful mother. She was one of the kindest women I knew and I have always remembered her smile. I send my deepest condolences to you. It would be nice if I could have shared them in person but I am visiting my son in Seattle. If you ever have time I would love to catch up with you.

Claudia Rohling

December 27, 2013

So sorry to hear of Jean's passing.I have many wonderful memories of her and Leonard .My condolences to the whole family. Myron and AndreaRabinovitz

December 27, 2013

To the Nemschoff Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your loss.

Dave Dassow

December 27, 2013

We are so sorry that Grandma Jean has passsed away and you are feeling a true loss. Although we never met her personally, we have heard the stories through Kevin of a wonderful, special woman. Keep all your happy memories of her in your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you on this very difficult day.
Much love, John, Linda & Cherie

John and Linda Mandoli

December 27, 2013

I only met Jean twice, at our tenth and twenty-fifth high school reunions. He helped me plan both of those. We held our planning meetings in his office. Lenny (he was always referred to as Leonard in high school where he was an outstanding student), very generous with his time. But I remember him as a great, good friend.

Lenny and I had many double dates in high school, but he never had a serious relationship with any of his girlfriends as I did, marrying my high school sweetheart after II. My short visits with Jean made it very clear to me that he'd married the right woman for they both were dynamic people as exemplified by their making such a success with the Nemschoff Company.

I attended his funeral and was so very impressed with his children's remembrance of him.

I send my deepest regrets to his wonderful family.

Dick Whinfield

December 27, 2013

Mark and family,
We have all lost a great lady. I enjoyed every minute of knowing both yor parents. My deepest sympathy to you.

Laurie Fox

December 27, 2013

Mark and Family,
What I remember most about Jean is her smile and upbeat personality. When we would go to visit some of our friends and family at Sheboygan Retirement Home, I would stop and say hi to her as well. I never saw her without a smile. She also carried herself in such a dignified yet warm and approachable manner. Always made me feel like she was my own grandma. One time I played guitar and sang some songs there, she sang along and even had some requests. Although I didn't know the songs she was requesting,the joy on her face made me replay a couple of songs again. Though we are never ready for this day no matter when or how it happens, we can find comfort in the memories and know we will see her again someday. That is such a perfect picture you found for the guest book, a genuine Jean Nemschoff smile....the one I will always remember. With Love,

Todd Zeier

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark, Muffin and Eddie and families:
Our extended family has now lost a matriarch, although Jean would have hated being called that! She was a wonderful friend for my entire time in Sheboygan, and she was truly one of the most honest, loving and caring people, not just to us, but to all who had the good fortune to know her.Even tho we lost touch in recent years, the good memories will remain.
My love to you all.
Bobbi Bassewitz,
Naples, Fl.

December 27, 2013

Our Deepest Sympathy Mark and Muffin. Never will forget the meeting of this beautiful lady, Jean, in a hair salon and exchanging recipes not knowing her husband was my husband's boss The Most Sweetest Person......
Jerry and Joan Bogenschuetz

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark , Muffin and family,
My Mom and I just spent the morning reminiscing about your Mom and Dad. I have such fond memories of her warmth, her sense of humor and love. She cared deeply about family , friends and the community. I will always remember great time at Crystal Lake!
You are all in my thoughts.

Lisa Bassewitz Lauber

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark and Muffin: We wish you our sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mom. I have fond childhood memories of both your Mom and Father, especially, her homemade tomato soup.

Dick &Joyce Zonick

December 27, 2013

Mark and Muffin,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom this morning. Judy and I extend our condolences to you and your families. I have thought often of your wonderful parents and the way they endured the sounds of our “band” coming from your basement when we were in high school. We'd finish practice, come up the stairs and there was your mom with that great smile on her face. Did she have ear plugs?

Bryan Walthers, Racine, WI

December 27, 2013

Dear Muffin,
I had so much fun with your Mom when she was at SSC. We would go to the theatre to see her favorite band, the UW Marching band. She loved it. Such a special lady to so many people. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nanci Vreeke-Enders

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark, Paul, Muffin, and family --
I have such wonderful memories of the time I spent as a child with Jean. She was so kind and engaging, and a true bright spot in my childhood. I am so sorry to see her go, and you all have my deepest condolences. You are all in my thoughts at this time.

Paul Axel

December 27, 2013

I'm not quite sure if I can remember Jean or Lenny without a smile. Nope, can't do it. What a wonderful woman! My sympathies to the entire Nemschoff family.

Dick Alpert

December 27, 2013

Dear Mark, Muffin and the entire Family - while we are out of the country we just heard of Jean's passing. Triggered tears but also great smiles in remembering those wonderful lazy days at Crystal Lake with our families together. Will never forget her or your Dad. Our condolences to all of you from the Bassewitz's. Marc

Marc Bassewitz

December 26, 2013

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