Obituary: Eleanor “Jean” Casey

June 21, 2019 – June 6, 2019

Eleanor “Jean” Casey, 89, died at Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

She was born in Buffalo, New York, daughter of the late Robert Martin and Eleanor May (Brown) Eiss. After graduating from Neenah High School, she attended Lawrence University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. Jean worked as an English teacher at Wausau High School for two years before marrying her husband, William P. Casey, in Oshkosh on February 28, 1953. She worked for Bell Telephone Company until her first child was born. 

She was a stay-at-home mom until after her three children were in high school. Jean then returned to education by writing a federal grant application for Neenah High School and worked as a teacher’s aide in the English department. Jean and Bill retired to Door County, and Jean worked in the Butik at Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay and volunteered for many years at The Clearing.

She was a member of St. Rosalia’s Catholic Church (now, Stella Maris Parish in Sister Bay). Jean loved to sing in the church choir and with the Peninsula Singers. She was a creative individual who enjoyed knitting and writing.  Her favorite pastime, though, was meeting with people and learning about their lives. She was a great conversationalist and, just as important, a great listener.

Jean will be missed by her loving husband of 66 years, Bill; children, Kathleen Anne (Lynn) Casey-McKee of Atlanta, Georgia, William Robert (Kris) Casey of Manitowoc, and James Patrick (Caryn) Casey of Burbank, California; grandchildren, Michael (Aubrey) Delinsky, Caitlin (Taylor) Watts, Katherine (Jordan Kabat) Casey, Emily Casey, Liam Casey, Siera Casey and Carlie (Scott Simick) Casey; and brother, Robert (Georgia) Eiss.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Eleanor Eiss.

Jean’s life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 14, at Stella Maris Parish in Sister Bay at 11 am, with Fr. David Ruby officiating. She will be laid to rest in Rowleys Bay Cemetery. There will be no visitation prior to mass.

A memorial service will also be held on Friday, July 5, at Scandia Village in Sister Bay at 11 am. A luncheon will follow the service.

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Casey family. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Jean can be shared through her tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com.