Jean T. (Tanski) Hann

Jean T. Hann, 98, of Elkhorn, WI died Saturday May 23, 2020. Jean, the daughter of Polish immigrants Andrew and Genevieve (Walejewski) Tanski, was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 9, 1921, the sixth daughter of nine children. Polish was Jean’s first language and Catholicism her lifelong religion. Jean was fearless and determined, working to support her mother and siblings after her father’s early passing, while becoming the first in her family to graduate high school. She was unequivocally adventurous and fiercely kind, from dancing the jitterbug on the weekends, to moving to Norfolk, Virginia during World War II to help care for her sister’s children. After moving back to Wisconsin, Jean became a dedicated employee of over 25 years at the Milwaukee Boston Store, where she was adored by all, befriending even her customers. She loved her role as a men’s haberdashery saleswoman and cherished the lifelong friends she made. Among those was her best friend and the eventual love of her life, Robert A. Hann. Bob proposed to her in the middle of Lake Wandawega, an area which they would later call home, and in 1956, they were married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn, WI. Four years later, she and Bob were blessed with a son, Robert A. Hann II, who they cared for and adored with devotion. Family was everything to Jean, and gatherings at the Lake kept the siblings and their families together and filled with laughter. After moving to Lake Wandawega, Jean worked for Dailey Clothing and later J. Roberts Menswear before retiring at the age of 77. Throughout her life, even after her husband’s passing in September of 2000, Jean remained a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, living by the motto “God has a plan for each of us.” She nurtured a lifelong love of elephants and strove to mirror their gentle strength and keen memory, never yielding to injury and always keeping her loved ones in mind. Jean’s beautiful blue eyes, remarkable wit, and jovial nature will not be forgotten. She will be deeply missed by her son, Robert “Bob” (Paula) Hann, her two grandchildren, Jacob and Katherine Hann of Scottsdale, AZ, her nieces and nephews, Jeff and Greg Tanski, Kaye Fletcher, Barbara Barnett, Joe and Bobby Zelenak, Randy and Janie Hann and by her dear friends Terri and Dave Ketchpaw, Darrin Davey, and Steve and Linda Gilliland.

Private family services will be held with inurnment at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery 3801 South Sixth Street Milwaukee, WI.  Memorials may be made in Jean’s name to: St. Patrick Catholic Church 107 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, WI 53121.  On-line guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.  Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory.