Jean Marie Reiswig

Jean Marie Reiswig, 87, passed away April 6, 2019, at the Washington Odd Fellows Home due to a recent stroke. Jean Marie was born January 7, 1932, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla to Maxell Rowell and Louise (Schoesler) Rowell Miller.

Jean Marie and her family moved to Palo Alto, CA where her brother Henry Robert “Bob” Rowell was born on December 7, 1936. In the 6th grade her family moved back to Walla Walla. They settled in the Russeck area or “Russian Corner” of Walla Walla where her mother grew up, Jean Marie attended Paine School.

In the mid-1940s Jean Marie volunteered as a Candy Striper and helped her mom sew blankets for the McCaw Army Hospital. Jean Marie graduated from WAHI in 1950. She was a member of Tethany, Lost and Found, and the Legislative Assembly.

After graduating Jean Marie worked at Pacific NW Bell until she married Eugene Roy “Gene” Reiswig on June 14, 1953, at the Evangelical Reform Church. Over the next 10 years Jean Marie became mom to Sheri, Craig, Kathleen, Todd and Scott. They made their home for the next 49 years on Fairmont St. in Walla Walla.

As her children grew and she had more time, she became more involved in their various activities. Jean Marie and Gene were members of the Blue Mountain Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the First Congregational Church.

Jean Marie was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, counted X stitcher, embroiderer, tole painter and fabric crafter. She earned many ribbons at the fair. One of her most rewarding and ambitious projects was knitting baby afghans and sweaters for the Layette Basket Program at her church.

Jean Marie’s cooking skills were honed by her grandma Schoesler and her mom. Her family also enjoyed German meals passed down from her grandmother. Some of her family’s favorites were Rivvel Kuchen, Butterball Soup, Grebble, and Kraut Bierocks. A special treat was German sausage Brauts which were served alongside waffles topped with strawberries and whip cream. Her Christmas cookies plates were famous and well loved by neighbors and friends. There would be barbecues in the summers. For out of town family and friends and those living in town, a Reiswig barbecue was a time of fellowship, great food, and love shared by family and friends.

Jean Marie ran an immaculate home. Everything had its place and was in its place. She loved working in her yard and flowerbeds.

In 2009 Jean Marie had her first fall. In the ensuing years there were a few more falls. The last fall took her from the hospital, with a new hip, to the Odd Fellows Home where she lived out the remainder of her life. She was visited often by family and friends and made many new friends amongst the residents and staff. She enjoyed armchair exercise, walking the halls, puzzles, crafts and of course Seahawk games. The family would like to thank the staff of Odd Fellows for the care of our mother and the compassion shown to her family as we sat with her in her final days.

Jean Marie touched the lives of many. She never knew a stranger. Her door was always open. Her children are very grateful to have been raised by a stay at home mom.

Jean Marie is survived by her brother, Bob Rowell, Gresham, OR; her daughter, Sheri (Charles) Saranto, Touchet; sons, Craig (Melanie) Milton-Freewater, Todd and Scott of Walla Walla, and son-in-law, Mike Huwe, Walla Walla; granddaughter, Leela (Dustin) Royce; great-grandchildren, Lauren Moller and Lincoln Royce both of Walla Walla; and many nieces and nephews.

Jean Marie was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; her daughter, Kathleen Huwe in 2001; her parents, Maxwell Rowell and Louise (Schoesler) Rowell Miller; her stepfather, Henry Miller; and her two best dog companions Ashley and Jenny.

A Graveside Service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 13, at Mountain View Cemetery. A no-host luncheon to follow at Smith’s Family Restaurant.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder, Walla Walla.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 17 2024, 18:11:42 UTC