Jean J. Firkus, 90
Jean J. Firkus, known to her friends and family as Jeanka or G-knee, age 90, of Stevens Point peacefully made her final journey home on Wednesday evening January 7, 2015 at the Portage County Health Care Center under the care of Ministry Hospice.
Jean’s life began September 30, 1924 in Stevens Point. She is the daughter of Frank and Susan (Dachyk) Ksionsk. She graduated from St. Peters Grade School and P. J .Jacobs High School in 1942. She then began assisting her mother at her North Side Grocery Store. Jean married Herman P. Firkus on September 21, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Polonia. The couple settled in Stevens Point to raise their five children. When her husband past at an early age, Jean worked outside the home. She worked part-time as a waitress at the Portesi Restaurant in Paul’s Bar. She later worked at Haase Jewelry Store in downtown Stevens Point and retired after working at Kellermans Pharmacy in 1994.
Filled with compassion and interest in others, Jean made friends easily and maintained contact with many. She enjoyed many social activities and loved to travel with her family and friends. She was an avid golfer and bowler. She was proud that she was able to golf until the age of 78. She loved to play bingo, poker, pinnacle, solitaire, rummy royal, going to the casino with her brothers and sisters, listening to polka music and cooking: especially birthday pies for her loved ones.
She gave so much of her time to assist others. She was an active volunteer at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King for 17 years, and was a member of the St. Peters Rosary Society, American Legion Post #6 Auxiliary, and the Red Hat Club.
Jean is survived by her 5 children who love her very much: Susan (George) Klish, Stevens Point; James (Ruth) Firkus, Peru, IN; Sharon (Doug) Hodsdon, Mondovi; Jerry Firkus, Stevens Point; Carla (Mick) Kluz, Amherst. 14 Grandchildren: Brian (Stacy) Klish, Ken (Jodi) Klish, Steve Klish, Jenny (Jim) Oldaker, Jessica (Tucker) Lewis, Jim (Candace) Firkus, Jean (Josh Mitchell) Firkus, Jason (Angle) Hodsdon, Kevin Hodsdon, Kristin Hodsdon, Taylor Firkus, Griffin Firkus, Adam Kluz, Cassie Kluz. 11 Great –Grandchildren. 2 Sisters: Mary Ann (Richard) Karch and Antoinette (Toni) Olszewski. One brother: Frank Ksionsk. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, parents and her 5 brothers: Edmund, Anthony, John, Ernest, and Lawrence.
Jean was a faithful Christian who devoted her life to God. She enjoyed going to mass and to pray the rosary daily. Jean’s life will be celebrated through a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday January 13, 2015 at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Rev. Jerzy Rebacz will officiate. Friends and relatives will gather to share memories from 9:00 Tuesday morning until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Shuda Funeral Services is assisting the family. A memorial in lieu of flowers will be established at a later date.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff in the ICU Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital, the staff on the east wing of the Portage County Health Care Center and Hospice for the excellent care and compassion shown to our mother.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com
