Myrtle M. Jeske

Myrtle Marie Jeske, 85, of Milwaukee, went home to her heavenly Father on September 17, 2024. Myrtle grew up in Suring, Wisconsin in a loving home where she learned that playing was much more fun than doing household chores. She told her mother, Marie Jeske at an early age that one day she would be a teacher. When Myrt spoke of her family her smile sparkled and heart danced. 

After graduation from Suring High School, Myrtle went on to the University of Oshkosh and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and coaching in 1961, and later achieved a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. At Oshkosh she played every sport offered -- field hockey, softball, bowling, basketball, volleyball, and realized how important sports were to her health. She started her teaching and coaching career at Oak Creek High School and enjoyed that career for 36 years. High school sports were such a major part of her life. She loved the game, preparing the teams for competition and especially working with her teams so they would learn how to succeed on and off the playing field. Her coaching accomplishments at Oak Creek included regional, sectional, and state championships. In 1998 Myrt was honored at Marquette University as Women’s Sports Leader of the Year. 

Outside of her high coaching, she played and coached 25 years of summer softball. Her favorite memories were winning a national title in Modesto, California in 1981 and in 1990 being inducted into the USSSA softball Hall of Fame. 

Myrt wrote in her journal, “My life could not have been laid out any better. I really enjoyed everything I did. I deeply loved my family, and not having children of my own, my nephews and nieces were my children. We would go swimming, play games, build forts, go for walks and just have fun. One of my happiest memories was going to the casino with my sister Joan and other friends just having fun and being together. I made memories so after I am gone, my family and friends would remember how much I loved them. Teaching, coaching, all my hobbies ― fishing, shopping, bowling, feeding the wildlife, watching the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers ― I did with passion, kindness, and most important love. I was honored meeting all kinds of people, my dear friends and church community. Besides sports, I enjoyed playing the accordion, saxophone and being in the bell choir. My favorite music was playing songs from the hymnals in the Methodist Church in South Milwaukee.” 

Myrtle loved her family and cats so much. So many wonderful memories with parents, sisters, nephews, nieces, great nieces and nephews, and now great-great nieces and nephews. Auntie was always the silly, strong, gentle one with such a giving heart. Myrtle is survived by her nephews and nieces, Leslie (Tammy) Steffeck, Lynn (Julie) Steffeck, Mark (Cindy) Steffeck, Mike (Renae) Steffeck of Suring, Marsha (Gary) Krahn of Green Lake, Joshua (Shy) Steffeck of Peshtigo, Kaitlynn (Austin) Gueths of Shawano, Liza Steffeck of Antigo; great-great nephew, Owen Gueths; and great-great nieces, Emelia Gueths and Kori Steffeck. 

Myrtle is preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Marie Jeske; her sisters, Joan (Abel) Steffeck, Jeanne, and Janice Jeske. They are surely having one heavenly reunion! 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at South Milwaukee United Methodist Church, 1327 Marshall Ave, South Milwaukee, 53172. Visitation will be from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm with services set at 12:00 pm. Reverend Maria Kim will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial donation in Myrtle’s name to the South Milwaukee United Methodist Church or Milwaukee Humane Society.