Jean Schentag (nee Wisniewski) was born on a wintry day long ago, on February 21, 1918, on a farm in the heart of Manitoba, near Ste. Anne. Her parents, Anastasia and John, had recently immigrated from Poland, living first in Wokashaw, Wisconsin, USA prior to moving to Canada.
She passed away on June 11, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 102. She entered this world during the Spanish Flu pandemic and she left this world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jean had six siblings: Thomas, Nelly, Frank, Adelle, Beatrice, and a little brother who was stillborn. Sadly, Thomas and Adelle died in childhood.
Jean grew into an incredible woman who was known for her strength and love. She moved to Winnipeg and owned her own dress store in the 1940s called Jean’s Dress Shoppe. She was especially close to her sisters Bea and Nelly. She married the love of her life, Arthur (Art) Schentag, and they shared four happy decades together until he passed in 1998.
Above all, Jean prized her family. She and Art had three children, Thomas (Tom) (Maureen), Barbara (Barb), and Cynthia (Cyndi) (Lawrence); six grandchildren, Jennifer (Jenna) (Eric), Trevor (Joanne), William (Megan), Arthur (Melissa), Luke (Sandra), and Brenna (Alex); and four great-grandchildren, Joseph, Samantha, Madison, and Ethan (born just nine days before Jean’s passing to Heaven). She also had many other family members that she dearly loved and who dearly love her back, such as nieces and nephews.
While Jean was a quiet, thoughtful woman, she also had a brave and adventurous spirit.
For example, last spring, despite being the advanced aged of 101 years and already quite frail she decided to jump in a car (with her daughter Barb driving) and embark on a 2600 km drive (round trip) to visit Tom, Jenna, and their families in Edmonton. That trip was not easy for her, but it was a truly precious gift that we will always cherish.
Jean was a lifelong bingo aficionado who was also a skilled knitter and crocheter. She was a master at the games of crib and canasta and she had an incredible laugh.
She loved music and dancing and she and Art would go to glamorous balls when they were young. They loved bowling and each won many trophies. In the 1990s they took up square dancing. They were also active members of the Independent Order of Foresters and held numerous positions in the fraternal organization. They made several lifelong friends through this organization.
Jean enjoyed camping and she and Art took their grandchildren on many camping trips in their trailer.
Together, they taught us all to have fun, be active, live life well, and love each other.
Jean made an indelible impact on the lives of her family and is deeply missed. It was a true joy and gift to have her as a mother and grandmother.
Jean completed her long life with dignity and strength. Then, on June 11, 2020, she gave the love of her life a special birthday present, meeting him in Heaven on what would have been his ninety-fourth birthday. Together, they are once again arm in arm, dancing together for eternity.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held.
Donations in memory of Jean may be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jean Schentag Thursday June 11th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba