Jean Streicher, 85, of Heafford Junction, was welcomed into the arms of her beloved husband, Dave, and recently-deceased grandson, Jason, after a tragic auto accident on Feb. 9.
Jean C. Teal was born on Jan. 11, 1938 in Tomahawk. She was born right in the middle of nine siblings, and at age five moved into her Grandma Clara’s house. Over the next ten years, before moving back home, she learned lifelong skills like gardening, cooking and canning, and acquired a work ethic, kind spirit and unconditional love of family that would be the foundation of her life. Jean met her perfect mate, Dave, and they were married in 1956. At the young age of 25, she bought Jean’s Lunch Café in Rhinelander, where she was locally famous for her pies. Her customer base was so faithful that she proudly claimed she never had to advertise. During this busy yet fulfilling career, she raised three rambunctious kids and was involved with the Rhinelander Jaycettes, even serving a term as president. Jean and Dave collected a group of lifelong friends before moving back to Tomahawk. They settled into their lake house, where they resided in what they liked to call “God’s Country.” The beautiful views sustained Jean following Dave’s passing after nearly 60 years of traveling the country (and lots and lots of laughter). She had a God-given skill for home-taught nursing and care, and her stubborn insistence that people should not have to spend their final years in a nursing home allowed her to greatly improve the quality of life of countless people. She was truly an angel, as the relatives and even doctors of those patients could attest.
Jean is survived by her children – David Streicher Jr., Union Grove, Wis., Tom (Jacqui) Streicher, Onalaska, Wis., and Dawn Streicher, Manitowish Waters, Wis. Surviving siblings are Charles (Mary Beth) Teal, Jack Teal, Kathy (Jack) Huston and Jerry (Marge) Teal of Tomahawk, LaVonne Penkalski of Stoddard, Wis., and Mary Jane Watten of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She especially cherished her grandchildren – Dan Streicher, St. Paul, Minn., Tony (Cassie) Streicher, La Crosse, Wis., Terissa Streicher, Milwaukee, Wis. and Jennifer Streicher, Seattle, Wash. Her precious great-grandchildren include Alyssa, Abby, and Henry of Menominee, Mich., and one little girl due in April in La Crosse, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eldron and Esther (Boeris) Teal, her husband, Dave, her brothers Mike Teal and Francis Teal of Tomahawk, and Richard Teal of Wausau, and her grandson Jason (Amanda) Streicher of Menominee, Mich.
A Memorial Service for Jean Streicher will be held on Thursday, Feb.16, at 3 p.m. from the Krueger Family Funeral Home, Tomahawk. The family will receive friends at the Krueger Funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 3 pm. Krueger Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. You may view the full obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.