Milwaukee native Sylvia Stein (nee Rickun), co-founder of Stein’s Jewelry and Loan, died Feb. 9 in Palm Harbor, Fla., of complications of age. She was 94.
She worked into her 90s as the bookkeeper at the store. “Work is part of me. I love being with young people. Old depresses me,” she once told a newspaper reporter.
She took a job as a bookkeeper in 1935 with The Journal Company. After her marriage to Harry Stein, the company wouldn’t let her keep her job. So she joined her husband’s loan shop, located on 3rd St. and Kilbourn Ave., now the site of the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee hotel.
The couple loaned people cash that they borrowed against their jewelry. They got the interest on the loan and sold any unclaimed jewelry.
They were joined by son Ken in 1977 when they moved the store to Wisconsin Ave. and expanded to sell new jewelry. He noted, “She never missed a day. She was always there, six days a week and knew exactly where the money went.”
In 1994, she was recognized for exemplifying the outstanding contributions that older workers make to the work force. She retired in 1998 and moved to Florida.
In addition to her work, she was active in many Jewish charitable organizations and belonged to Congregation Shalom and Temple Menorah.
She is survived by son Kenneth (Diana) Stein of Mequon, daughter Vicky (Irving) Benedon of Palm Harbor, sister Marsha Zimmer of Milwaukee, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1986.
Rabbi Isaac Lerer officiated at the funeral on Feb. 14 at Temple Menorah.
Memorials to the Jewish Home and Care Center or Temple Menorah would be appreciated by the family.