Susan L. Borkon
Susan L. Borkon (nee Wiernick) died on Jan. 7, 2021, at the age of 75. Loving mother of Laurie (Jill Stevens) Borkon and Julie (David) Meyers. Cherished grandmother of Talia Borkon-Rutter, Danielle Borkon-Rutter, Ayal Meyers and Zev Meyers. Dear sister of James Wiernick. Private services held at Spring Hill Cemetery with Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiating. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Milwaukee or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network of Milwaukee appreciated.
Sonia ‘Sunny’ Willenson
Sonia “Sunny” Willenson was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 18, 1919, and died on January 8, 2021, just 10 days shy of her 102nd birthday. Sunny lived a grand life that impacted all who were blessed to cross her path. As a woman with great class, integrity and kindness she was a true role model for all generations of her friends and family. “Sunny” was such a fitting name as she provided such warmth and sunshine to all. When her beloved late husband Harold was suffering with Alzheimer’s for many years, Sunny epitomized the word “devotion.” With her care, Harold remained in their family home for many years.
Sunny received her degree in Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught in Lodi, Wisconsin, for one year and later taught second grade for 17 years at Donges Bay Elementary School in Mequon. She was a member of Congregation Shalom since its inception in 1951 and was active as a choir and board member. In addition to volunteering, after her retirement from teaching Sunny became quite talented in calligraphy and flower arranging. Sunny was the loving mother of Nanci Friedson, the late Q. Gary Knopow, Patricia (late Barry) Gallas, and Kenneth (Barbara) Willenson. Cherished grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Further survived by relatives and friends across the country. Preceded in death by her adoring husband, Harold; sisters, Sylvia Karch and Shirley Walchok; brother, Harry Ziegler; son-in-law, Barry Gallas; and beloved son, Q Gary Knopow. The family is deeply grateful to caregivers Rita Davies and Milton Davies for their devotion and the exceptional care they provided to Sunny. Private interment at Spring Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorials appreciated to: Hometown Heroes, Congregation Shalom Social Action Fund or One Heartland.
Lotta Brafman
Lotta Brafman (nee Waldman) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Aspen, Colorado, died at age 82. Beloved wife of Stuart Brafman. Cherished mother of Lester Brafman (Caroline) of New York, New York and Michelle Brafman (Tom Helf) of Glen Echo, Maryland. Loving grandmother of Isabella Brafman, Henry Brafman, Emma Brafman, Gabriela Helf, and Gideon Helf. Dear sister of Deanna (Siman) Wollitzer and Samuel (the late Louise) Waldman. Further survived by other relatives and dear friends. Lotta was born in Milwaukee and grew up in the suburb of Shorewood where she graduated from Shorewood High School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Simmons College and earned a master’s in library science degree from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She met Stuart while she was living in California working for the Stanford University library. While raising her two children, she served as the President of the Federation’s Women’s Division, where she helped create and run the Jewish Community Pantry. After Lotta and Stuart moved to Chicago, she began a successful career as a travel agent. Lotta spent her retirement traveling extensively with Stuart, quilting, playing tournament bridge, and spending time with her five grandchildren. A private service was held on Jan. 8 at Spring Hill Cemetery. Among many things, Lotta was very involved with the Jewish Community Pantry of Milwaukee and had a profound love of camping. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Jewish Community Pantry or Camp Interlaken. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.
Nieland “Neil” Cohen
Nieland “Neil” Cohen, a Milwaukee native, died at the age of 93 in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 19, 2020. Neil was born on Feb. 1, 1927, to Morris and Estelle Cohen (Levitz). He was preceded in death by his wife Melvina (“Mal” Vish), his brother Albert, and his sister Gertrude Fodiman. He is survived by his brother Harvey and his wife Yolanda (Valentino) of Charlotte, North Carolina. His nephew, Steven Cohen, and his nieces, Beverly Applebaum, Judy Cohen, Elaine Horwitz, and Francine King, will miss their Uncle Neil, as will their families. During high school, Neil got his first experience with government service when he was selected to be a page in the Nation’s Capitol. He graduated from North Division High School. After 30 years as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service, he retired with commendation having served with distinction in Wisconsin, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. After retiring, he and Mal returned to Milwaukee, where Neil lived until he joined Harvey in North Carolina in 2018. His career was interrupted twice, once by World War II and again by the Korean conflict, when he proudly served in the Navy on LST 565. Always learning, Neil was an avid reader and travelled the world with his wife. His passion for jazz resulted in a very large record collection of jazz groups and large swing bands from the 40s to the 90s. Neil was known for his kind and generous heart, which he shared with relatives and charitable and religious organizations. Burial was at Second Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.
Shirley G. Cohen
Shirley G. Cohen died on Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 92. Beloved wife of the late Arthur M. Cohen. Cherished mother of Sally (Douglas Allie) Cohen-Allie. Dear sister of Jeanine (Edward) Semon. Loving grandmother of Samantha Violet (Matt Guinard) Allie; step-grandmother of Miles (Maisie) Allie, Scott Allie, and fond step-great-grandmother of 5 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by brother and sister-in-law, Jerome (Margot) Lee. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, and dear friends. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Congregation Sinai, Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, Ovation Communities (Jewish Home and Care Center or Chai Point) or the charity of your choice appreciated.
Norbert “Norb” Eglash
Norbert “Norb” Eglash died on Dec. 29, 2020, at the age of 88. Loving husband of Judy (nee Perlman). Beloved father of Brian (Rachel) Eglash, Michael (Ruth) Eglash, and Laura (Kenny) Fishman. Proud Papa of Daniella, Yoni, Ben, Gefen and Ela Eglash and Eden Fishman. Fond brother of Rod (Helen) Eglash and sister-in-law Helen (Cecil) Platt. Further survived by cherished nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Norb was preceded in death by his parents David and Ruth (nee Ottenstein) Eglash and a sister, Doreen Eglash, and Louis and Dorothy Perlman. Norb was a devoted family man who always put his family first. He was a talented artist who started his own business, NE Creative Services, where he provided graphic arts services to local businesses and worked side by side with his wife, Judy. A proud Jew and ardent Zionist, Norb and Judy visited Israel over 25 times. He was also an Army veteran, past president of Temple Menorah and dedicated minyan attendee for many years, in addition to serving as past president of Parents of North American Israelis (PNAI) and a Hadassah associate member. Norb, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was an avid reader, loved watching sports and especially found joy spending time with his six grandchildren. He will be remembered as a kind, loving, devoted husband, father, Papa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many. His memory will live on forever in our hearts and through the generations after him. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a fund set up at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Foundation in memory of Norb Eglash, Temple Menorah, the Jewish Community Food Pantry or Hadassah, are greatly appreciated. Suminski Funeral Home assisted the family.
Ilse Eisendrath
Ilse Eisendrath (nee Seligmann) died on Dec. 21, 2020, at the age of 100. Beloved wife of the late Oscar N. Eisendrath. Loving mother of Barbara (Mark) Pollack, Robert (Hope) Eisendrath and Mark (Cindy) Eisendrath. Proud grandmother of Deborah (Stephen Domsky) Pollack, Suzanne (Greg) Sitrin, Jason (Kimberly) Eisendrath, Brian (Tara) Eisendrath and Zach Eisendrath and great-grandmother of Jake, Jonah, Jeremy, Lauren, Kaitlin, Lara, Taylor and Harper. Dear sister of Justin (Ruth) Seligmann. Private graveside service held at Spring Hill Cemetery with Rabbi Joel Alter officiating. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid’s Sisterhood appreciated.
Aaron F. Feldman
Aaron F. Feldman died in his sleep on Jan. 1, 2021, at age 84. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Marlene, and his three children, Leland (Cheryl Evans) Feldman, Gary (Jennifer) Feldman and Jillian (Jon) Quandt. Grandfather of Audrey Alexandra, Mary Jane Feldman, and Jared Quandt. Aaron was a lifelong Milwaukee resident and founder of Feldman Real Estate. An avid golfer and storyteller, Aaron always enjoyed a good laugh with his friends and family. Private services. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Jewish Community Pantry are appreciated. Donations can be sent to 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 or to JCCMilwaukee.org.
Joan Glick
Joan Glick (nee Alpert) died on Jan. 4, 2021, at the age of 76. Beloved wife of the late Larry Glick. Cherished mother of Alyson (Geoff) Lee and the late Noah Glick. Loving grandmother of Logan Lee and Alexandra “Lexi” Lee. Dear sister of the late Linda (Ronald) Polan. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. A private funeral service was held at Mound Zion Cemetery in Brookfield. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to ALS Association or American Cancer Society appreciated.
Klara (Nee Pevzner) Kirsanova
Klara (Nee Pevzner) Kirsanova died on Dec. 23, 2020, at the age of 79. Beloved mother of Leonid (Yelena) Kirsanov. Proud grandmother of Dimitry and Michael Kirsanov. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Private graveside services held at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery with Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiating. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Dr. Morris “Morrie” Klein
Dr. Morris “Morrie” Klein, of Mequon, born Feb. 9, 1925, died on December 29, 2020, at the age of 95. He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Lorraine (nee Stein) Klein. Survived by his loving daughters Barbara (the late Adam Bourgeois) Klein and Susan (Dr. Bruce) Winter. Morrie was the proud grandfather of Dr. Jeremy (Sammi) Winter, Andrea (Dr. Robert) Kitsis, Dr. Danielle Klein, David (Liz) Klein, and Alana Bourgeois, and adoring great-grandfather of Shayna Kitsis, Noah Kitsis, and Kodiak Klein. Special thanks to his caregiver of 3 years Ray, and other wonderful caregivers Priscilla, Gerry, and Noel among others. Our thanks to Lisa from Horizon Hospice. Morrie had several memorable accomplishments, some being that he was MD-board certified in International Medicine, and captain of his medical unit in the Korean War. He was a long-time member of Beth El Ner Tamid, and more recently Beth Israel Ner Tamid. He was an active volunteer at the Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center after retirement, and a voracious reader. Memorial contributions can be sent to Tisch MS Research Center of New York- Tischms.org/donate. Blane Goodman Funeral Home assisted the family.
Robert A. Siegel
Robert A. Siegel Passed away on Jan. 14, 2021, at the age of 67. Preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Lois (nee Malmon) Siegel, and his sister, Elizabeth Ann Siegel. Loving brother of William (Lauren) Siegel and uncle of Alex Foshager, Adam (Lyndsi) Siegel and Andrew (Sarah) Siegel. Dear nephew of Toby Harris, Diane (Bud) Schwarzbach and Barbara (the late Jack) Recht and cousin of Dan (Elaine Selsberg), Tom (the late Rae Ellen), Robert (Melanie Taylor), Jim (Nina Dillon) and Sydney (Bob Appel) Recht; Sidney (Denise) Siegel; Robert (Mark) Hancock; Janet (Greg Grummer) Malmon; Gary (Sue) Malmon; Ellen Schwarzbach; Peter Schwarzbach; and Laura (Mark) Block. Further survived by special friend, John Foshager, and loving partner, Chris Siegel. Private services held at Spring Hill Cemetery with Rabbi Mendel Mann officiating. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Florence Kesselman Slavick
Florence Kesselman Slavick (nee Rose), age 96, resident of Glendale, died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 16 after complications from a fall. She was born in Cleveland to I. S. Rose and Tillie Rose and attended University of Wisconsin where she met her first husband, Morton Kesselman. Sister to brothers Earl and Norton Rose and sister-in-law to Rita and Dr. Eli Gecht, Muriel and Edward Levin, Ruth and Marvin Silver. She was married to Kesselman for 28 years and in 1984, 12 years after his death, she married Monroe Slavick of Milwaukee, who predeceased her in 2008. Mother of sons Howard (Niki) of Prescott, Arizona, Lee of Glen Ellyn, Ilinois, and John (Georgine) of Mequon, grandmother of their children Lindsay, Robin and Beth, and great-grandmother of Eleanor Paquin and Rowan Lees. Stepmother of Harris (Skip) Slavick (Linda) of Vineland, New Jersey, and Marjorie Frank of Brooklyn, New York, grandmother of their children Adam Frank (Kathleen), Benjamin Frank (Austen Kassinger), Jason Slavick (Tamar), and Karen Slavick-Lennard, and great-grandmother of their children, Quincy Frank, Calvin Frank, Teddy Kassinger Frank, and Hannah Lennard. She was known for her generosity, her sociability, her love of family, Jewish traditions, entertaining and friendships. She was active at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshuran, where she served on the Temple Board and as President of the Temple Sisterhood. She served as president of the Midwestern Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Her lifelong love of the arts blossomed in her later years to include regular attendance of several Milwaukee arts venues. She will be missed and remembered as a nurturing parent, a friend and a role-model. Private interment was held. Memorial contributions are suggested to Congregation Shalom in Fox Point, Cong-Shalom.org; American Cancer Society or Southern Poverty Law Center. Blane Goodman Funeral Services assisted the family.
Harry Wasserman
Harry Wasserman died on Dec. 30, 2020, at the age of 67. Son of the late Nathan and Jennie Wasserman. Dear brother of Rose Ann Wasserman (Daniel Feinstein) and Robert Wasserman (Pearl Lieberman). Loving uncle of Natalie Feinstein and Lulu Adams. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Harry attended Nicolet High School and the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After college, Harry lived in New York City for a number of years before moving back to Milwaukee. Harry was a writer and film reviewer who, over a long career, wrote for a variety of newspapers and magazines, including publications in Madison, Milwaukee, and New York. He was a longtime journalist with the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and the man behind the newspaper’s Woody Film awards. In retirement, Harry continued to write film reviews that he distributed to friends and family. Harry had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies. If you had a movie-related question, you didn’t have to Google it – Harry would have the answer. He was rarely, if ever, stumped. Harry’s humor, enthusiasm, creativity, and kindness will be greatly missed. A private service was held at Mound Zion Cemetery with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiating. A celebration of Harry’s life will be held by Zoom at a later time. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory to Jewish Family Services, 1300 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, 53202 or to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Sonia Willenson
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