Jeanette E. Westra, 89, of Kenosha, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Los Alamitos Medical Center in California. Born in Kenosha, on April 23, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Nettie (Kerst) Posthumus. She attended local schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. She later received her cosmetology license. She met Willard as a young teenager and married him on September 29, 1956. He preceded her in death on November 3, 2022, after 66 years of marriage. Jeanette worked as a beautician for many years. She also worked as a secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church and then as a bookkeeper for Peter Ploskee Construction. In 1989 she began working at Kindy Optical in Kenosha and then moved to Salem Vision Center in April of 2000 when it opened. Over the next 20+ years she enjoyed interacting with the patients and co-workers there. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church for many years and then eventually moved to St. Mary’s Lutheran Church. Jeanette loved to bake and provided baked goods for the church’s Sat. evening service for many years. She was famous for her Spritz and Crescent cookies. Her apple pies were also always a family and crowd favorite. Jean also loved to knit. Many winter nights were spent knitting baby sweaters, adult sweaters and her coveted Christmas stockings. Every grandchild and great-grandchild received their own hand knit stocking. Summers would find Jeanette in her garden, at the orchard, or at the farmer’s market. She loved her flowers and took great pride in her yard and garden. She often accompanied Willard to the farmer’s market to help. Of course, most of the vendors there looked forward to her baked treats as well. Survivors include a daughter: Cheryl Schnitzer; daughter by choice: Jodi (Larry) Wojnicz; son-in-law: Kevin (Lisa) Hendricks; seven grandchildren: Jason (Briana) Schnitzer, Rachael Schnitzer, Joshua (Maile) Schnitzer, Mathew Schnitzer, Bailey Hendricks, Benjamin Hendricks and Daniel Hendricks; and five great-grandchildren: Jackson, Zachary, Haley, Lucas and Colby. Aside from her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter:Linda Hendricks. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, 2001 80th Street, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign Jeanette’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
terry Hafner
August 1, 2023
Jean was a loyal, genuine, sincere and kind person whose memory I will always treasure. As wives of police officers, mothers, and daughters whose Moms lived with us, we shared quality conversations. She was an excellent hair stylist and professional, personable person in her public life. My sympathy is the loss of a great lady.Terry Hafner
Nancy Lindsley
July 29, 2023
Over the past 20 years I’ve known Jeanette as the heart of Dr Kalinkas optical office Her voice always greeted my phone calls or her smile greeted me as I walked thru the door of the Kenosha office. Yes at first meet she was a joyful, helpful and experienced voice & face at Salem Optical Kenosha but by the second or third visit she made me feel more like a familiar friend. She made it known to me everytime I saw her that she had a deep love for her family, (thru the story’s of visits and weddings). She also made it very clear that her relationship with Dr Kalinka and his family was more than just an employee-they too were her family. And then each time for over 20 yrs she made me feel like a friend not just another patient she was greeting. That special attitude of treating everyone like family was a trait I sincerely admired in Jeanette. I hope that someday others will remember me the way I remember her—one that loved her family and friends whole heartedly AND SHOWED IT EVERYDAY! Thank Jeanette. I miss your smile and greetings and friendship….but… .friends forever …Nancy Lindsley