Jone Lee Griese's Obituary
It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. On Sunday April 29, 2018 the ever classy and wee bit sassy Jone Lee (nee Horn) Griese passed away with her family by her side.
Jone was born in Oshkosh, WI on March 30, 1929 to the late David and Mary (nee Shaw) Horn and grew up with her two older brothers above the family store in Fairwater, WI. Education was important to her mother, so upon graduation from high school, she attended the Business College for Women in Oshkosh and earned her business degree.
It was, while attending a dance with her college friends at the Eagle’s Club, she caught the attention of a young man from Pickett, WI. Eugene Glen Griese first noticed her raven dark curly hair, bright blue eyes and radiant smile and quickly fell in love. Eugene (her Sheeny) and Jone were united in marriage on May 4, 1949 and celebrated 61 years of marriage prior to his passing on November 20, 2010.
Jone’s family grew quickly in the following years and became her number one priority. She devoted her energy and all her love into building a wonderful life for her family, creating many memories in the process. She was the proud mother of six children and loved the sons and daughters-in-law that joined her family thru the years. She cherished the moments she had with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a hands-on grandmother willing to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, make Barbie doll clothes for her granddaughters, keep bikes and skateboards on hand for the grandsons, play board games, offer warm hugs and be part of their lives. Jone kept a beautiful home and was an exceptional seamstress creating many outfits for her family over the years. For relaxation, she enjoyed watching birds and tending to her flower gardens, greatly enjoying her annual flower and “shrub shropping” trips with her daughters. She was a skill full card player, playing games such as Bunco, Buck-up, or Royal Rummy and other with friends and family. In the past few years her family had great deal of fun introducing her to and playing modern board games with her such as “Cards against Humanity”. She was a good sport playing along, offering us her innocent smile and feigned shock of the scandalous conversation with a few “Oh you girls” for good measure.
Jone lived a very full life filled with family, friends, travel and boundless love. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her and will be fondly remembered for her beautiful smile, eternal exquisite class, sassy personality and her strong Christian faith.
She is survived by her children: Garrett (Cathleen), Gayle Savka (Robert Lasiewicz), Clair Lehndorf, Glen (Kay) and Kathryn Luebke (Steven Plantz) and daughter-in-law Lise Gerhke Griese; 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and last but not least her beloved dog Reilly whom she spoiled endlessly.
In addition to her husband and parents, Jone was preceded in death by her son Steven, granddaughter Elizabeth Luebke, great granddaughter Avalon Vadnais; her brothers and their spouses John (Betty) Horn and William (Lois) Horn; brothers and sisters-in-law Janet Wagner, Robert (Mary) Griese, Leland (Margaret) Griese, Marianna Griese Hulbert, and John “Jack” Griese.
A special thank you to our sister, Clair, for the care and companionship she provided. We are thankful mom was able to spend the past few years happily at home with you by her side.
There will be a time of visitation and remembrance on Friday May 11, 2018 from 9-11am at Fiss & Bills-Poklasny with a Christian service to immediately follow at 11am. Following the service family and friends are invited to join us at the Pickett Community Center for a luncheon celebrating Jones life.
What’s your fondest memory of Jone?
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Share a story where Jone's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jone you’ll never forget.
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