Jean Elizabeth Kinsman (nee Pronold) was born on August 8, 1931 and passed away on April 27, 2024

Jean Kinsman leaves behind 10 grateful children; John, David, Marilyn, Joanne, Paul, James, Mary Beth, Susan, Annette and Mark, their spouses and partners, and 73 well-loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, literally too many to name. 

Jean’s early years began in rural Plain, WI, on August 8, 1931. She was the second youngest of 9 surviving children of Lillian (Hehemberger) and Anton Pronold.  She had fond memories of growing up on their farm and attending St Luke’s Catholic School for 12 years. She was an excellent student and judging by the comments in her yearbook, the very best in Latin and shorthand.  She and her beloved sisters had lots of friends in the area.

After graduating she lived in Madison and worked for Oscar Mayer in the office. She married John Glenn Kinsman (one of the ‘Ridge Boys’) in June, 1950.   They settled in Lime Ridge and lived their entire married lives there on a beautiful dairy farm where they raised their 10 children. Neither worked off the farm; there were no vacations, and everyone learned to work hard and be frugal. They were devoted members of St Boniface Catholic Church for 74 years. She was one of the core church ladies who took care of the church, the dinners and celebrations. John/Dad insisted on a huge garden to feed and keep the kids busy. From the garden, Mom made 3 square, nutritious meals per day and canned and froze the rest.  (She should have been a poster child for UW-Extension Homemakers!)  Visitors were astounded by the number of different dishes on the table. Mom was known for her fantastic pies and desserts.  We always had dessert plus ice cream at the end of dinner and supper. She was also the queen of hospitality, cooking for unexpected visitors often. There wasn’t enough food unless there was too much.  

Mom deeply loved her family and relatives in a quiet way. She never said anything unkind to or about anyone. She wasn’t bossy and didn’t have much advice for her kids; we knew by her example exactly what was expected. 

Mom is survived by her younger sister, Doris Alt, and several in-laws including Mary Lou Kinsman and Ron Engerman, and a host of nieces and nephews as well.  A picture of any family reunion has so many people you can’t clearly see everyone!  Our Dad, John, left us in January 2014.  Mom stayed on the farm for a few years and then moved to assisted living at Casa de Oakes for her last 8 years.  We give many thanks to the staff there who treated her with respect and kindness. 

 Her family misses her deeply and we will continue to be grateful every single day that she is our mother. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jean Kinsman will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in LaValle with Father Luke Powers officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lime Ridge. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg, and on Saturday from 10:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. Memorials of remembrance may be made to Sacred Heart School, Reedsburg, in lieu of flowers.