Jean R. Beisser

MADISON - Jean Ruth Beisser née Nachtrab died peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, surrounded by her husband and family at the age of 73 after a battle with Lewy-Body Dementia. Jean was born on Jan. 20, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Robert Nachtrab and Doris “Gagie” (Krier) Nachtrab. Jean attended Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wis., Class of 1966 and then studied education at UW-Oshkosh, took a break to have her family, and then received her B.S. in Education from UW-Milwaukee where she graduated Suma Cum Laude in 1985. She taught kindergarten at St. Nicholas and St. Philip Neri Schools in Milwaukee. Jean met the love of her life, Dick, at the Random Lake Fireman’s picnic where she would spend the summers working in the canning factory as her family had a cottage on Random Lake. They were married on August 24, 1968, at Holy Family Church in Whitefish Bay, Wis., and had three children. She and Chris hosted 18 exchange students from around the world into their home. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage and were a model of love for all those who knew them. Jean lived for her family. She loved attending her children’s events especially soccer games where she and Chris created many lifelong friends at Vincent and Milwaukee Sport Club. More recently she enjoyed attending all her grandchildren’s events. Holidays were very important for Jean as she loved her family to be together. Jean loved being a teacher. To this day she still receives fond messages from her past students and even in the times of confusion, she spoke of her students often. Jean loved her students so much that when one of her students faced the foster care system, she and Chris decided to take him and his brother into their home for months until they were able to return home. Jean also loved to volunteer and help others and in 1996 she was selected as volunteer of the year by the WIAA for her work at Harold Vincent H.S. Jean enjoyed traveling and spending time at “The Tin Condo.” She loved her cat’s Buster and Tux and her dog stubby. She lived most of her life in Milwaukee until about six years ago when she moved to Madison. Almost 17 years ago Jean had a major heart attack and was given little chance to live. Against all odds, she pulled through as her heart was simply too big to go. Although our world will be less without her, we know there is a place in heaven for her. We will miss her greatly. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Doris née Krier and Robert Nachtrab. She is survived by her husband, Christian “Dick” Beisser; daughter, Amy (Phil) Ikner-Burr; sons, Kevin (Andrea) Beisser, Matthew (Sujhey) Beisser and Alonso (Marjorie) Mago; grandchildren, Samantha, Diego, Alex, Joshua, Pablo and Miranda; sisters, Ann Mackin, Susie (Tom) Piaskoski and Roberta (Bill) Moore; brother, Jim (Susan) Nachtrab; sister-in-law, Kris (Tom) Matthies; exchange students that still call her mom, including Alonso, Jan, Christiane, Shu, Pablo (RIP), Luciana and Nobu; as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, with Deacon David Hendrickson and Father Joji Reddy Allam presiding. Family and friends wishing to view the Mass via LIVE STREAM may do so by visiting Jean’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and clicking on the Watch Webcast link at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, and also at the church from 9 a.m. until the start of the Mass on Saturday. The family requests that masks be worn. The family would like to thank the staff of Agrace HospiceCare, Oak Park, and UW Health, especially Stephanie, Allison and Dr. Coert, who provided extraordinary care and support in her last months of life. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420