Jennifer Seaman

MADISON - Jennifer Kathryn (Smart) Seaman of Madison died Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Agrace Memory Care, finally beating Alzheimer’s disease after 11 years. She was 82.

Jennifer was born March 27, 1942, in Mauston, Wis., the first daughter of Eugene and Viola (Blackburn) Smart who, for many years, owned and operated Gene's Cafe in Mauston. Jennifer graduated from Madonna High School in Mauston in 1960 and attended nursing school in La Crosse.

Jennifer retired in 2001 as a fiscal analyst for Capital One in Richmond, VA, and moved back to Madison with her husband, Richard. The Seamans first lived in Madison from 1967 to 1986 when they moved to Richmond. From 1963 to 1967 they lived in Whitefish Bay, a suburb of Milwaukee.

For many years, Jennifer was a teacher’s aide at Aldo Leopold School in Fitchburg. She loved children and was a strong advocate for early childhood education. She began taking her children to the neighborhood library when they were babies. She also encouraged her children to take up musical instruments and to practice.

Jennifer was an expert knitter and crocheter. Her best creations are distributed among the family. She also enjoyed water aerobics at the YMCA and made many lasting friends there, both in Richmond and Madison. In the fall, Saturdays and Sundays were highlighted by the University of Wisconsin and Green Bay Packers football games. Her outbursts could be heard throughout the neighborhood.  

Jennifer is survived by her husband, Richard; three children and their spouses, Trischa (Jim) Loebl of Whitefish Bay, Wis., Gerald (Patricia Vilches) Seaman of Chicago, Ill., and Karen (Mike) Holzmann of Green Bay Wis.; two sisters, Bette Smart of Mauston, Wis. and Sally Smart of Janesville, Wis.; two brothers, Gerald of Machesney Park, Ill. and Robert of Zepherhills, Flo.; by seven grandchildren, Max, Clancy and Luke Loebl, Andy and Abbi Holzmann and Mario and Riccardo Seaman; and by several nieces and nephews.

There also was a special place in Jennifer’s heart for Richard’s sister, Charlotte Manning, her husband, Eugene, as well as their wonderful sons, Michael, John and Paul, who died in 2005.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Kenneth, William and James. Jennifer was cremated by Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, which also provided professional assistance to the family.

There will be a memorial service at FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, in the LANDMARK MEETING HOUSE at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, with the Rev. Kelly Crocker presiding. A visitation will be held at the Landmark Meeting House from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday. Reception to follow.

Donations are encouraged to be made in Jennifer’s name to the Madison Public Library Foundation for their annual fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761