Jean J. Seithamer

Jean J. Seithamer lived a life deeply rooted in the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, embodying the values and experiences of her generation through nearly a century of profound change. Born on July 11, 1931, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Ernest and Molly Kruse, Jean emerged into a world still recovering from economic depression, yet she would go on to establish herself as a dedicated healthcare professional and devoted family woman whose interests ranged from competitive word games to passionate sports fandom.

Jean's early years were marked by significant family tragedy. Her mother, Molly, died when Jean was just twenty-two months old, leaving Ernest to raise their children. Despite this early loss, Jean thrived within a large family that included four sisters: Carol Joan Heckner, Ruthann Loehning, Shirley G. Van Dyke, Helen Manser, and Molly Sue Ruess. The strong bonds among the siblings would remain a constant throughout Jean's life, providing support and companionship across the decades.

Jean's educational journey began at Neenah High School, where she graduated in 1949. This achievement placed her among the immediate post-World War II generation of graduates who benefited from improved educational infrastructure and expanding opportunities for women. Following high school, Jean pursued her passion for healthcare by enrolling in the prestigious Theda Clark Hospital School of Nursing. Established in 1912, just three years after the hospital opened, this institution represented one of Wisconsin's leading nursing schools, founded as part of Theda Clark Peters' philanthropic legacy.

After earning her nursing degree, Jean embarked on her professional career in St. Paul, Minnesota. This relocation placed her within the Twin Cities' dynamic healthcare community during the post-World War II healthcare expansion. Her time in Minnesota allowed her to develop her professional skills in a progressive nursing environment, contributing to patient care during a period when demand for skilled nursing professionals significantly exceeded supply.

In 1957, Jean married Robert A. Seithamer, beginning a partnership that would span nearly seven decades. Robert, born on August 10, 1931, in Neenah, was the son of Edward and Mildred (Kern) Seithamer. After completing military service in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, Robert had returned to his hometown where he would meet and marry Jean. The couple established their family home in Neenah, where they raised three children: daughters Barb (who married Bill McCarthy) and Karla (who married David Kaphaem), and son Rob (who married Sue).

Family life for the Seithamers was enriched by their love of outdoor activities and exploration. The family "enjoyed many camping trips in Wisconsin, and throughout the United States," with favorite activities including "exploring historic sites, hiking, making pudgy pies and singing songs around the campfire." These adventures reflected the growing American camping culture of the 1950s and 1960s, when improved equipment and expanded highway networks made family camping increasingly popular. Jean and Robert's emphasis on combining recreation with education—visiting historic sites while enjoying outdoor activities—demonstrated their commitment to providing their children with both adventure and learning opportunities.

As her children grew, Jean developed interests that would become lifelong passions. She became an avid puzzle enthusiast, "working on many types of puzzles: jigsaw, sudoku, and crossword." Her expertise in word games was particularly notable—she "was an expert crossword and Scrabble player and hard to beat playing Words with Friends." Jean's approach to jigsaw puzzles revealed her competitive nature and adherence to rules: "when helping her with a jigsaw puzzle you were never allowed to look at the picture for help. Looking at the box cover was considered cheating."

Perhaps Jean's most significant recreational pursuit was league bowling, which she identified as her "sport of choice." For many years, she "enjoyed bowling with her mother and a group of friends," participating in what became one of the most important social and athletic activities for American women during the 1950s and 1960s. This era marked the peak years for bowling in America, when bowling alleys transformed into social centers for women through technological innovations and deliberate marketing campaigns that created genuine community spaces for female athletes.

Jean's connection to Wisconsin extended beyond her family and recreational activities to passionate sports fandom. She "was a lifetime Badger, Packer and Brewers fan," equally enthusiastic whether "in the crowd at a live game or watching from home." Her devotion to the Green Bay Packers connected her to one of Wisconsin's most significant cultural institutions, while her support for the University of Wisconsin Badgers and Milwaukee Brewers demonstrated her investment in both collegiate and professional sports throughout her adult life. She was "always happy to share her joy or sorrow based on the game's outcome," making sports an integral part of her family relationships and emotional expression.

The loss of family members marked significant chapters in Jean's later years. She was preceded in death by three of her sisters: Carol Heckner, who died in September 2014 at Appleton Medical Center; Ruthann Loehning, who passed away in April 2021 at her daughter's home in Greenville; and Shirley Van Dyke, who died in April 2018. These losses were balanced by the joy Jean found in her growing family, which included three grandchildren—Emily Kaphaem-Veriga, Skyler Kaphaem, and Andy Seithamer—and four great-grandchildren: Greyson, Jack, Sloane, and Rylie.

Jean's granddaughter Emily Kaphaem-Veriga became a history teacher at Milwaukee's Audubon Technology & Communication Center, representing the family's continued commitment to education and professional achievement. Jean remained "always interested and proud of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids' school and sporting activities," maintaining active engagement with multiple generations of family members throughout her later years.

Even in her nineties, Jean demonstrated remarkable adaptability and continued intellectual engagement. Her mastery of digital word games like "Words with Friends" showed her willingness to embrace new technology while maintaining the competitive spirit that had characterized her approach to puzzles and games throughout her life. This cognitive vitality and sustained interest in challenging recreational activities spoke to a woman who remained mentally sharp and socially connected well into advanced age.

Jean passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, at the age of 94. Her celebration of life was held at Westgor Funeral Home in Neenah, the community that had been her home for nearly seven decades. She was laid to rest alongside Robert at St. Margaret Cemetery in Neenah, returning to the geographic and emotional center of her adult life. Jean's legacy lives on through her surviving sisters Helen Manser and Molly Sue Ruess, her three children and their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the countless friends and community members whose lives she touched through her warmth, competitive spirit, and unwavering devotion to family.