Joan Weise (1923 – 2010)

Passed peacefully away at home on June 8, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, she was born September 22, 1923 to John and Elizabeth Brittle and was the baby sister of Lydia Lienau, Helen Vogler, and Elaine Wiersum. At age 12 she met the love of her life, Gene Weise. They married February 26, 1944 and this year celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary at the Bartley House.

Joan attended Kenosha schools graduating from Mary D. Bradford, class of 1942. Her first job was as a pin setter for her parent?s business, Brittle?s Bowling Alley. She worked a short time at Coopers then returned to Brittle?s, working alongside her father in the kitchen. Joan and Gene along with her sisters and brother-in-laws bought the bowling alleys from her parents and together they ran Brittle?s Recreation for 21 years. In 1970 the business burned down and Joan and Gene ventured out on their own to reopen Brittles on Sheridan Road. The restaurant business is a demanding life and Joan was no stranger to hard work. She went in at 5 am to do all the cooking and baking and then would put on an apron and wait tables. She truly was a marvelous cook and could make anything taste great in only a matter of minutes. After several years they decided to close the doors and try their hand at a different lifestyle. Joan worked for American Motors in the office for 10 years retiring in 1985. She enjoyed her retirement by baby sitting the grandchildren, reading, playing Bingo and working at the polls. In her 86 years Joan belonged to many organizations including the Restaurant Assoc., various bowling leagues, PTA, St. Matthews Church, the Moose Club and her bridge club to name a few. Her family brought her the greatest joy in life.

Left to celebrate her life, her husband Gene and their five loving children: Joan (Jim) Hannes, Barbara (Dewey) Reilly, Sue (Mike) Seramur, Tom (Bonnie) Weise and Nancy (Ed) Tutas.

Joan was the proud grandmother of Jim (Renae) Hannes, Jennifer (Chad) Cook, Mike (Bridgette) Reilly, Beth (Nate) Gruber, Dewey (Karina) Reilly, Zack and Sam Seramur, Andy & Ashley Weise, Kevin Helvey, Shannon ( (Jeremy) McCumber, Julie Tutas, Amy (James) Siegel, John (Kelley) Tutas and Nate Tutas.

She was ?Grandma Great? to 14 and counting. Joan will also be dearly missed by her sister-in-law, Janet (the late Jack) Wyss, brother-in-law, Forry Weise, sister Elaine, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Assembly of God (10700 75th Street, Kenosha) on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:30 AM. Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers please go out to eat and tip your waitress generously.