Joan Ruth Jaecks, daughter of Julius and Magdalena Kawczynski, Polish immigrants, was born May 10, 1910 in St. Johosaphat's parish on Milwaukee's south side. She graduated from Bay View High School and from Milwaukee State Teachers College in 1931. She taught at Federal Indian school in Tomah and in West Allis, WI schools.
She married Archy Jaecks in Montrose, MN on August 15, 1934, and began her own family life in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, moving to West Allis in 1939. Her three sons--Jerry, David, and Dan--were born in 1935, '39, and '45. In 1946 they purchased Medicine Lake Lodge in the north woods and she began a new career as host, chef, supervisor of waitresses and cabin girls--serving 50 to 60 guests three times a day.
In 1974, they became the first resort condominium in Wisconsin. From 1979 to 1989, they had a winter home in Sun City, AZ, where Mother was a very active volunteer at the hospital and library and a member of the Unitarian church. As a member of the West Allis Woman's Club, she organized and helped operate a volunteer boutique for Milwaukee County mental patients. She was a member of the Brookfield Unitarian Church. In the north woods she was a guide for the 3-Lakes historical society museum.
Mom breathed her last gasp of air Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, in the presence of her son David, with her husband Archy and son Jerry nearby. At her vigil the last few days were friend Carole Rowe Phillips, her care takers Patti Davis and Pat ____, her grandchildren Laura, Eric and Sara, great grandchild Anna Dakota, daughter in law Kay Jaecks, and other kith and kin. She is survived by her three sons, five grandchildren, three great grand children. She was preceded in death by her six sisters, and two infant brothers.
A private family memorial service will be held Saturday at 11am followed by lunch at 1pm at the Wenatchee Roaster. Contributions may be made to your favorite local alzheimer charity or to the Alzheimer Society at 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, in Chicago, IL.
To read Grandpa's diary outlining the course of her illness, click on Grandma's Journey.
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