1915
John
2014
John "Jack" Geniesse
April 4, 1915 — August 13, 2014
Beaver Dam, WI / Twin Lakes, MI
Jack W. Geniesse, age 99, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and Twin Lakes, Michigan, died Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Randolph, Wisconsin. He was born in Escanaba on April 4, 1915. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church. Jack was the son of Frank and Mae Geniesse. He grew up in Escanaba attending elementary, junior high, and high school and was a member of the graduating class of 1933. He attended Michigan State University but eventually graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in teaching and coaching. Upon graduation he worked on a post graduate degree at the University of MI, University of Tennessee and Montana University. Jack was selected by the University of Michigan for a fellowship in accounting sponsored by W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He worked as the athletic and music director for Camp Evelyn, Wetmore, Michigan Civilian Conservation Corp. For 5 years Jack taught and coached athletics in 5 various high schools in Michigan. He also spent 10 years teaching and coaching basketball at Custer County College in Miles City, Montana. He also was Chairman of the Accounting dept. at Custer. He also, coached basketball at Sacred Heart High School. He left education and coaching to start a new career as a sales representative with Rand McNally Publishing Company for 27 yrs. and finally retired from Xerox Publishing Company located in Boston at age 70. He spent 20 years as a "Snow Bird" in Brownsville, Texas. While in Texas he became the musical director for Paul's RV Park. Jack volunteered as a reading consultant for one of the local school districts and drove Radiation Cancer patients to Harlingen, Texas. Jack was successful in his music career playing with the big bands starting at the age of 10 and finally stopping in 1956 (having played once with John Phillip Sousa). He played for the Marinette City Band, along with the Bobby Coy Big Band in East Lansing as a student at MSU. Jack loved his summers at the cottage, located on Twin Lakes, with his late wife Geraldine. They enjoyed "Mother Nature at its best, especially the beautiful Fall colors." Jack was a member of St. Catherine Drexel in Beaver Dam and attended Sacred Heart in Munising, a Life member of the Knights of Columbus, Former Director of the Humane Society in Beaver Dam, Advisory Board member for Moraine Park Technical College, Member of the Phi-Sigma Chi Fraternity, American Federation of Professional Musicians (youngest card carrying member), American Association of University Professors (Jr. Membership), International State Bookman's Association, and a member of the Eagles, Elks, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs.
Jack is survived by his children - Jim and Lynne Geniesse of West Bend, WI, Mary Janice and David Powers of Beaver Dam, WI, Patti and Steven House of Waupaca, WI and Mike and Lisa Geniesse of Oklahoma City, OK; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ken and Frank, his devoted wife Geraldine whom he married on September 20, 1940, and many in-laws.
"Life is not important except for the impact it has on the lives of others"
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Sunday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service held at 7:00 p.m. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate Jack's Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, August 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dodge County Humane Society, N6839 Highway 26, Juneau, WI 53039 or the Knights of Columbus of Munising.
Jack W. Geniesse, age 99, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and Twin Lakes, Michigan, died Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Randolph, Wisconsin. He was born in Escanaba on April 4, 1915. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church. Jack was the son of Frank and Mae Geniesse. He grew up in Escanaba attending elementary, junior high, and high school and was a member of the graduating class of 1933. He attended Michigan State University but eventually graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in teaching and coaching. Upon graduation he worked on a post graduate degree at the University of MI, University of Tennessee and Montana University. Jack was selected by the University of Michigan for a fellowship in accounting sponsored by W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He worked as the athletic and music director for Camp Evelyn, Wetmore, Michigan Civilian Conservation Corp. For 5 years Jack taught and coached athletics in 5 various high schools in Michigan. He also spent 10 years teaching and coaching basketball at Custer County College in Miles City, Montana. He also was Chairman of the Accounting dept. at Custer. He also, coached basketball at Sacred Heart High School. He left education and coaching to start a new career as a sales representative with Rand McNally Publishing Company for 27 yrs. and finally retired from Xerox Publishing Company located in Boston at age 70. He spent 20 years as a "Snow Bird" in Brownsville, Texas. While in Texas he became the musical director for Paul's RV Park. Jack volunteered as a reading consultant for one of the local school districts and drove Radiation Cancer patients to Harlingen, Texas. Jack was successful in his music career playing with the big bands starting at the age of 10 and finally stopping in 1956 (having played once with John Phillip Sousa). He played for the Marinette City Band, along with the Bobby Coy Big Band in East Lansing as a student at MSU. Jack loved his summers at the cottage, located on Twin Lakes, with his late wife Geraldine. They enjoyed "Mother Nature at its best, especially the beautiful Fall colors." Jack was a member of St. Catherine Drexel in Beaver Dam and attended Sacred Heart in Munising, a Life member of the Knights of Columbus, Former Director of the Humane Society in Beaver Dam, Advisory Board member for Moraine Park Technical College, Member of the Phi-Sigma Chi Fraternity, American Federation of Professional Musicians (youngest card carrying member), American Association of University Professors (Jr. Membership), International State Bookman's Association, and a member of the Eagles, Elks, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs.
Jack is survived by his children - Jim and Lynne Geniesse of West Bend, WI, Mary Janice and David Powers of Beaver Dam, WI, Patti and Steven House of Waupaca, WI and Mike and Lisa Geniesse of Oklahoma City, OK; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ken and Frank, his devoted wife Geraldine whom he married on September 20, 1940, and many in-laws.
"Life is not important except for the impact it has on the lives of others"
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Sunday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service held at 7:00 p.m. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate Jack's Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, August 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dodge County Humane Society, N6839 Highway 26, Juneau, WI 53039 or the Knights of Columbus of Munising.
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