Schleisman, Jacob Sylvester
passed away gracefully and peacefully on July 30, 2015 at his home in Amery, WI; he was 87 years old. Jake will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses: Theresa Rozas, Elizabeth Conklin, Susie (David) Jones, Mary (Tom) Nagel, Nancy Saba, Martha (Greg) Lundgren, Molly (Marco) Cotroneo, Jacob (Lisa) Schleisman; twenty grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; special friends Gary and Marge Schone and family; and many more relatives and friends. Preceded in death by loving wife Dona Mae (Briscoe); parents Sylvester and Hattie; sisters Elaine and Marlene, brothers-in-law Jerry, Dick, Chuck, and Art; son-in-law Jerome; and grandson James. Jake was born and raised in Minneapolis where he worked as an operating engineer and foreman with the public works department before retiring to Amery. Often heard to exclaim, "I love life," he enjoyed fiddling with old cars, gardening, spending time with old friends and making new ones. Jake's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, a fair (if occasionally stern) father, and a wise, wise-cracking, loving, and generous 'Bumpa' to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many others. Generations of little ones were tucked into bed with his call-and-repeat recitation: "Goodnight; God bless you, I love you, see you in the morning, peace-to-daba, shalom, chowder!" A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Saturday August 8, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery. Visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Special thanks to Dondi Kuhn, Jake's caregiver for the last several months, as well as the staff at Adoray Hospice. The Schleisman family is grateful for your kindness and compassion. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery.