Jean A. Rupnow

1927 - 2025

Oconomowoc, WI - Jean Ardele (Kosloske) Rupnow, Ixonia

Having lived a full and loving life, Jean Ardele (Kosloske) Rupnow, 97, went to live with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Jean will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, GG (great grandma), aunt and friend.

Friends and family may pay respects Saturday, March 15 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, W1955 Gopher Hill Road Ixonia, WI. Visitation is from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. with service following. Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Watertown is serving the family. Online condolences may be left at www.HafemeisterFH.com.

A life-long resident of Ixonia, she was born October 3, 1927, to William L. and Alma (Humbolt) Kosloske. She was baptized November 13, 1927, at Dr. Martin Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc. She graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1945. She married Lawrence E. Rupnow on December 10, 1949, at Dr. Martin Lutheran Church Oconomowoc. They were married 53 years before his death in 2003. Her family was her greatest pride. Together with her husband, she raised five children: Dale (Diana) Rupnow of Ixonia; Sandy (Peter) Froemming of Oconomowoc; Patti (Dennis) Loppnow of Concord; Joyce (Tim) Otterstatter of Watertown; Judy Rupnow (Craig Hoeppner) of Jackson. She has 11 grandchildren: Kily Rupnow, Kurtis Rupnow, Kara (Rupnow) Amundson, Shay Froemming, Tonya (Froemming) Butschke, Brian, Kevin and Heidi Loppnow, Benjamin Otterstatter, and Marissa (Otterstatter) Essmann. She has 15 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

During her life she was active in many pursuits. Before becoming a farm wife and mother, she worked at Paper Products in Oconomowoc, as a bookkeeper for Ruesch Shoe Store in Watertown, and as a poll worker for the Town of Ixonia. She was a charter member of Ixonia Victory 4-H Club, and later became its head leader for 10 years. As a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ixonia, she served on the Ladies Aid, altar committee, and the Wisconsin Ladies Missionary Society. She was a charter member of the St. Paul's Ladies Dartball Team, served as its captain for many years, and faithfully reported the scores, averages and outcomes to the papers weekly. She was also a charter member of the Ixonia Twilight Homemakers. Later in life she volunteered at the Alpha Life Resource Center in Watertown.

Jean had many loves. She loved a good polka and spent many years traveling with Lawrence and friends to polka fests from Elsworth, WI, to Arizona. She loved playing cards - especially Sheepshead - and was a member of many card clubs including the Ixonia and Watertown Senior Citizens. She had a love of Jesus and lived her life in his honor serving others. Her greatest love was her family. She would spend her time puzzling, playing games and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some of the most special times were spending weekends at the family lake cottage. Her family will always remember the way she made holidays shine especially Christmas. Her friends will remember her smile and positive attitude. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by husband, Lawrence, her parents Bill and Alma, grandson Jeremy Froemming and granddaughter Dawn Marie Rupnow. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.