Mary Ellen Jezeski

Mary Ellen Jezeski, age 72 of Kaukauna, passed away on Monday morning, April 18, 2016, following a short illness. Mary Ellen was born in Charles City, Iowa on October 22, 1943. She was the daughter of the late Harry and Helen (Hinmon) Trepton. In 1962 she graduated from Nashua Community School in Iowa, and in 1965 received her R.N. degree from Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago. During her training to be a nurse, she met her future husband, Ken Jezeski, whom she married on July 2, 1966. Ken preceded her in death in 1996.

Mary Ellen worked as a nurse for over forty years. Her first job was at Kaukauna Community Hospital. In 1997, she began work at Colony Oaks Care Center and Franciscan Care Center in Appleton. One of Mary Ellen's greatest passions was caring for others, and in 2007 she received the Franciscan Care and Rehabilitation Nursing Week Award.

Mary Ellen was a talented musician who loved to play the flute and piano. She also enjoyed spending time fishing, boating, swimming, and paddle boating at the cabin in Hayward. She was also an excellent cook and baker. Her chicken wings, potato salad, and fruit salad were famous. Grandma adored spending time with her family and grandchildren, playing board games, cards, bocce ball, croquet, lawn darts, and ladder ball. She also loved to watch sports on television, but especially looked forward to the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers.

Mary Ellen was also very involved in her community. She was a faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, volunteered at the Community Food Pantry, was a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and also sang in an area choir known as “The Extension Cords.”

Survivors include her four children: Julie (Scott) Niquette of Kaukauna; Jim Jezeski of Kaukauna; Joel Jezeski of Appleton; and Jeff (Tina) Jezeski of Kaukauna; four grandchildren: Melanie, Emily, and Matthew Niquette, and Tyler Jezeski; a sister: Ruth Ann Goings of Elkader, Iowa; a brother: David (Karen) Trepton of Oconomowoc; and her in-laws: Alex Jezeski, Jr. of Florida; Terry (Terri) Jezeski of Florida; and Roger (Roberta) Jezeski of Black Creek.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth, a brother-in-law Kenneth Goings, a sister-in-law Kathy Jezeski, and Ken's parents Alex and Irene Jezeski, Sr.

The funeral liturgy for Mary will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 22, 2016 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Tom Pomeroy officiating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Fargo Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again at the church on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. For more information or to share a memory of Mary Ellen, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.

Mary Ellen was an amazing wife, mother, grandma, and sister who was loved dearly by everyone. She touched so many lives with her generosity, wonderful sense of humor, and warm heart.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hollee and Jeanelle from St. Elizabeth Hospital for all of the help and support they have offered to our family. We will be forever grateful.