Obituaries, February 2017 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, February 2017

Joel Ray Abramson

Joel Ray Abramson of Scottsdale, Arizona, previously of Thiensville, died Dec. 27, 2016.

He was born Aug. 24, 1931.

Abramson is survived by his wife Marilyn, son Gary (Amy) Abramson of Atlanta, daughter Jaclyn (Harry) Zigan of Mequon and son Brian Abramson. Survivors include grandchildren Matthew Zigan of Lacrosse and Noah Abramson of Atlanta; also his son-in-law Bruce Andrews and sister-in-law Flora Abramson.

He was predeceased by his daughter Cynthia Abramson-Andrews and brother Earl Abramson.

Services were held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gerald Bard

Gerald “Jerry” Bard of Illinois, a lifelong Packers and Badgers fan, died Nov. 20, 2016 at age 84. He was born in Milwaukee and graduated from Washington High School where he was swim team captain and ran track. In recent years, he wrote a newsletter for the “Nifty ‘50” alums who met regularly.

Attending University of Wisconsin-Madison after transferring from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, he ran track, joined Alpha Chi Sigma, and graduated in Biochemical Engineering.  He served in the U.S. Army, and later earned his MBA from Iona College.

Bard was a process engineer for several major food companies, and he and his wife Sandra (nee Laskin), also of Milwaukee, moved frequently, finally settling their family of five children in Deerfield, Illinois.  After a career change, he formed his own outplacement firm. He was active in Institute of Food Technologists for 65 years, and Boy Scouts, serving as Scoutmaster and on the Jewish Committee on Scouting. He enjoyed family, friends, opera, bowling, Leon’s Frozen Custard, and international travel, including Israel.

In the 1990s, back in Wisconsin, he and Sandy formed Lyric Opera’s Lake Geneva Chapter before returning to Illinois in 2005. They were married almost 60 years. Sandy died in February, 2016.

He is survived by Loryn (Norberto) Kogan, Nancy Bard, Jeffrey (Lori) Bard, and Betsy (David) Yager, of Illinois, and Corey Bard of New Mexico. Survivors also include sister Beverly (the late Aaron) Ugent of Milwaukee, and brother-in-law Jay (Eileen) Laskin of Baltimore, formerly of Milwaukee.

Burial on Nov. 22 was at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery in Milwaukee. Direct memoriams to BSA – Northeast Illinois Council (neic.org), American Diabetes Association, or Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois.

Lorraine Borsuk

Lorraine Borsuk of Milwaukee died Dec. 8, 2016. She was 95.

Born March 31, 1921 in Madison, she lived her whole life in Wisconsin. She was predeceased by beloved husband Gerald last year.

She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1938 and University of Wisconsin in 1942. She was a member of Beth Israel Center in Madison. She was active for decades in Hadassah and other Jewish organizations. Lorraine was a secretary with University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Survivors include sons Paul (Ann), Alan (Robi) and Richard (Nancy) Borsuk, of New York City, Milwaukee and Singapore respectively. Others include sisters-in-law Sylvia, Shirley and Marylin Sweet, sister-in-law Marie Borsuk and sister Pauline Siegman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point or Yeshiva Elementary School are appreciated.

Joanne Price Cremer

Joanne Price Cremer of Milwaukee died Jan. 13, 2017. She was 81.

She was born Aug. 11, 1935 in Chicago.

A graduate of Northwestern University, she held a bachelor’s of arts and a master’s degree. She was a member of Congregation Sinai and worked in Milwaukee Public Schools as a teacher. She had an interest in literacy, reading fiction and, of course, playing with grandchildren.

She is survived by spouse Sheldon Cremer, plus daughter Miriam Cremer and grandchildren Stacy, Michael, Sarah and Noah.

Her body has been donated to science, with assistance from Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be sent to Basic Health International, 25 Broadway, New York, NY 10004, a nonprofit founded by her daughter Miriam to eradicate cervical cancer.

Jennie Eskin

Jennie Eskin of Bayside died Jan. 4, 2017.

She was closely connected to and was a leader of her family, both immediate and extended. She had a long-time network of friends. She loved tennis.

Born in Russia, she came to Wisconsin from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. She was predeceased by spouse Allen in 1985.

She was a homemaker and a member of The Shul in the Milwaukee area. She loved to sing and play the piano. Her sons were everything to her, and they, in return, adored her, cared for her and made her life so very special. Survivors include sons Henry (Alix) and Steven (Sydney).

Burial was at Mound Zion Cemetery on Jan. 6, 2017. Rabbis Avremi Schapiro and Cheski Edelman officiated, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Shul Center Bayside, 8825 N. Lake Drive, Bayside, Wisconsin 53217.

Helene Levy Neubauer

Helene Levy Neubauer of Milwaukee died Dec. 26, 2016. She was 91.

She was born Feb. 11, 1925 and was predeceased by husband Edward D. Neubauer in 2007. She graduated from Washington High School in 1943 and also attended Milwaukee State Teachers College.

She was a member of Congregation Shalom, Na’amat and Hadassah. Helene Levy Neubauer also volunteered for many years at the Jewish Home & Care Center, also volunteering at Milwaukee Jewish Day School. She worked in retail sales at Boston Store.

Survivors include sons Mark (Diane), Fred (Tamara) and James (Elizabeth) Neubauer, of Los Angeles, Bayside and Shorewood, respectively. The funeral was with Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home on Dec. 28, 2016. Burial was at Mound Zion Cemetery in Brookfield with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff of Congregation Shalom. Memorial contributions are welcome to Shalom or a charity of your choice.

Ethel Oliensis

Ethel Oliensis of Milwaukee died Dec. 11, 2016. She was 86.

She was an artist, psychotherapist and writer. Motherhood was always her primary concern, but as an eshet chayil (woman of valor), she had many other activities. She was an accomplished sculptor and her works were exhibited in several shows. She wrote poignant and humorous memoirs about her immigrant family of origin.

After earning a master’s degree in social work at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, she worked as a counselor at Jewish Vocational Services and as a psychotherapist (and later supervisor of psychotherapy) at Jewish Family Services in Milwaukee. From that position, she organized several national conferences on aspects of psychotherapy. The last great joy of her life came in its final month: the wedding of her granddaughter Rachel. (She and her husband of 66 years won the contest for the longest-married couple on the dance floor.)

To the end, she tried to be helpful to others. But on the day after her 86th birthday, she passed away peacefully, as her weakening body was no longer able to support her soaring spirit and her open heart.

Survivors include children Miriam (Jose Torres) Oliensis-Torres, Sharon Oliensis and Adam (Louise Ruck) Oliensis.

Burial with Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memoriams to ACLU, c/o the Gift Processing Department 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, New York 10004; Planned Parenthood, 123 William Street, 10th Floor New York, New York 10038; New Israel Fund, Post Office Box 96712 Washington, DC 20090-6712.

Barbara Stone Roth

Barbara Stone Roth of Glendale died Jan. 19, 2017. She was 81.

She was born May 23, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. She came to Wisconsin from Orlando, Florida in 2008 and she graduated from Pensacola High School, University of Florida and University of Central Florida. She held a master of arts in teaching and was awarded teacher of the year plus multiple blue ribbons in knitting, Central Florida Fair.

She was predeceased in death by Robert Roth in 2004.

She was a member of the Congregation of Liberal Judaism, Orlando, Florida, and was sisterhood president.

She was head of the English department at Lake Mary High School, Seminole County, Florida.

She was a debate coach and yearbook/newspaper advisor. To this day, her students send warm messages about her impact on their lives. She was an avid reader and knitter and a huge fan of the Florida Gators.

She was loving mother to Mollie (James) Lazear, Kyle (Cecily Sue) Roth and Howard Roth (Tom Bass).

Burial was in Orlando, Florida. Memorial contributions may be sent to Jerry Doliner Food Bank at JewishFederationDaytona.org or the Autism Society of Southeast Wisconsin at Assew.org

Marilyn Rosen

Marilyn Rosen (nee Rakita) of Milwaukee, whose passion and delight was family, died Dec. 9, 2016.

Rosen, 76, was born July 29, 1940 in Milwaukee. The cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Jack Rosen, her three precious daughters, Jodi (Tod) Gordon, Jill (Jeff) Stark and Deanna Rosen-Irwin. Her seven grandchildren were her loves and her light, Carley, Jami, Hannah, Zach, Emily, Justin and Ben.

She graduated from Washington High School in 1958 and was a member of Congregation Shalom. Family was Marilyn’s passion and delight. Her positive attitude, kind heart and big smile were who Marilyn always was and her beautiful soul will live on through her loved ones forever.

Burial was at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery in Milwaukee, Dec. 12, 2016, with Rabbi Ron Shapiro. Memorial contributions may be sent to Chai Point Senior Living, Attn: Trish Cohn, 1400 Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, in memory of Marilyn Rosen.

Pearl Silverstein

Pearl Silverstein (nee Tassell) of Milwaukee died Jan. 7, 2017. She was 82.

She was born April 20, 1934 in Chicago, coming to Wisconsin in 1956.

Pearl was predeceased in death by Harold Silverstein in 1985.

Survivors include daughters Holli Kramer of Thiensville, Tammi Silverstein of Chicago, Marci Waldkirch of Brown Deer and Jodi Silverstein of Mequon. Son Sam Silverstein lives in Milwaukee.

The Jan. 9 burial was at Agudas Achim Chabad Cemetery with Rabbi Avremi Schapiro and Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Miriam R. Simon

Miriam R. Simon of Glendale died Jan. 7, 2017. She was 56.

She was born Jan. 16, 1960 in Elgin, Ill.

Miriam came to Wisconsin from Buffalo Grove, Illinois in 2000. She graduated from Larkin High School, Elgin, Illinois in 1978, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1982 and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1984.

She held a bachelor of arts in urban studies from Washington University, plus a master of science in public management and policy, with highest distinction, from Carnegie Mellon University. She worked as a loan underwriter, with employers including HHC Finance LLC, North Bethesda, Maryland. She held an array of private- and public-sector positions in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin over her 32-year career.

She was a member of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun and Congregation Shir Hadash.

She is survived by beloved husband Larry Sandler, and also sister Eleanor (Patrick O’Neall) Simon, of Timonium, Maryland and son William Sandler, and many other relatives and friends.

Jan. 9 burial was at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Marc Berkson and Blane Goodman Funeral Service LLC

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin.