Jean Schwiesow

Jean Lammers Schwiesow, N7933 Union St., Ripon, died Tuesday, July 3, 1990, at her residence.

She was born July 14, 1918, in Westby, Montana, a daughter of Fred W. and Elizabeth Lammers Ninneman. At the age of 2 months, her parents died of the flu epidemic in 1918. From that day forward until her marriage, she was raised by Arthur J. and Jessie Peterson Lammers. She graduated from Plymouth High School in 1936. She attended Miss Brown’s Business College in Milwaukee from 1937 – 1939. On October 4, 1947, she married Dr. Carleton W. Schwiesow in Plymouth.

Mrs. Schwiesow was Charter Member and Past Secretary of the Ripon Woman’s Club, Secretary of the Ripon Girl Scout Council from 1950-1954, Red Cross Blood Bank Volunteer from 1952-1957, Ripon Home Garden Club member from 1958-1970, member of the Ripon Educational Club where she had served as secretary, vice-president and president from 1956 until the present. She was an honorary member of the Ripon Business and the Professional Woman’s Club, president of the Ripon Republican Women’s Federation and organized the Woman’s activities for the Ripon Centennial. She co-organized the local G.O.P. in 1960, and was chairman and vice-chairman of the Fond du Lac G.O.P from 1957 until 1967. She was trustee, vice-president and secretary of the Ripon Cemetery Association from 1960 to 1984, and President of the Municipal Cemetery Board in 1984. She served as trustee, vice-president and president of the Ripon Memorial Hospital from 1964 until 1984. Mrs. Schwiesow worked on the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, appointed by Governor Knowles from 1965-1969. She was also a Citizen Member of the State Law Enforcement Standards Board for a 5-year appointment from Governor Knowles.

Mrs. Schwiesow was the first woman alderman for the City of Ripon and the second for the State of Wisconsin. She was appointed in 1963, and elected for a 4-year term in 1964. She served as chairman of a Special Building Committee which acted during the transition from the old City Hall through construction of the new City building. She was chairman of City Affairs for 4 years, served on the finance committee for 4 years, and on the Judiciary Committee for 1 year. She was Council Representative to the Ripon Chamber of Commerce from 1964-68, organizer of the “DOC” Committee in 1969, and served as its secretary until 1980. She was a Ripon College Delegate to the Central College Associates board, member of the Ripon Congregational Women’s Fellowship, Church Nominating Committee and Christian Education Committee.

She received the following honors: 6th District G.O.P. Award in 1965, Fond du Lac County G.O.P. Award in 1967, Ripon Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1970, and was listed in Outstanding Civic Leaders of America in 1968.

Survivors include her husband and four brothers, Aaron Lammers of North Myers, FL, Jack Lammers of Shiocton, John Ninniman of Burgaw, NC, and Paul Ninneman of Menomonee Falls. She was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth and one brother, Carl.

Friends may call from 5 until 8 pm Friday at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon.

Services for Mrs. Schwiesow will be held Saturday at 11 am at the First Congregational Church in Ripon with the Reverend Lawrence Janssen officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery. A memorial has been established in her name for Hospice.