Jean D Molbreak

My condolences to Jean's family and especially to her husband Vern. They were so sweet together and together for so long. We went out to Oakcrest for dinner the day after their 72nd wedding anniversary. They split a bratwurst! I asked jean if she had ever been mad at Vern. In 10 years I had not seen her upset with him. She told me that their biggest fight was when her son Jim was having a birthday party and the VW Bug she was driving on University Ave with 5 kids in the car ran out of gas. Vern was in big trouble and to this day he remembers the look on her face and what she said to him. Pretty good record for 72 years!! Vern, you gave Jean a wonderful life and we're always at her side. I am sorry that you are without her now. I was lucky to spend many afternoons with Jean in her garden. Always the lady, she is the only person I have ever seen in a skirt and a cardigan out weeding with a butcher knife! I will miss her dearly.

Nancy and family, I'm sorry to see the passing of your mother this past week. My father just passed away on October 26, and his service was on Saturday. I enjoyed talking with your parents on occasion while on bike rides through Shorewood. She always seemed to be out working in one of her gardens. What a lovely person. I hope all is well with your father. Take care of him and yourself. Chris Gentilli

Vernon, Jim, Marilyn, Nancy, Chris: A caring and supportive person has been lost with the death of your Mother. You may better remember Isabel Kiley and I moving in temporarily when your folks were traveling to mind you all and the house. I remember thinking how huge your house on Shorewood Boulevard was! From that came many experiences where your Mom looked after me, hauled me around with you, and we even trick or treated together! I was actually just thinking about this the other day and for some random reason Jean was in a dream I had the other night. Jean taught me a very early lesson on flexibility and being humble: my go to meal at McDonald's (where Whole Foods is now) was a plain hamburger with ketchup only. I was in the car one day with all/some of you and Jean pulled into McDonald's. I gave her my go-to order and she quickly said "that's a special order, we don't have time to wait for that. You can eat a regular hamburger." Being an only child, I had never been denied my go-to order, but quickly realized it was non-negotiable. I have eaten regular hamburgers with the works ever since then. It is good to be flexible, and realize that you don't always get what you want but that may be just fine. My best to all of you.

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I am so sorry for your loss. Jean was an amazing woman. I still remember when Jean, my mom Doris, Marilyn, Nancy and I drove to Florida in the winter of 1955/56. Vernon, Jim and my dad, Bob Kneebone joined us later. What an undertaking it was back then but Jean took charge and we had a time!