THEODORE JAROSH

Theodore Lynn Jarosh passed away Sunday September 26, 2021, just months after the loss of his beautiful and treasured wife, Rose Marie, and his beloved son, Bill.  Theodore (Ted) passed peacefully with family by his side after a courageous battle with old age, but he remained young at heart all his 91 years.

Ted was born to the late Joseph and Anita (Shimek) Jarosh March 9, 1930 in Manitowoc, WI.  He married the love of his life, Rose Marie Kleiber, June 26, 1954.   They raised 7 children together. His family was his priority and great joy throughout his life.  He created so many treasured memories including family trips up north to the cottage where he taught his kids to waterski on skis he made in his workshop.  There was also fishing, horseshoes, catching fireflies, and watching the fireworks together.   Dad was a key instigator of creating family fun with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. This included painting pumpkins, dying Easter eggs, playing cards and general mischief-making! He was also very much an advocate, cheering his family along in all their many endeavors.  He would often bring a big bell and proudly ring it at whatever milestone event he was attending…Even when the audience was told not to.

Ted was a true craftsman in wood working and gardening.  He created many family heirlooms made from love in his basement workshop, gifting each child a special grandfather clock when they were married, and a cradle when expecting their first child.  He started his vegetable gardens by seed and built his own greenhouses. He made his own potting soil by baking dirt in the family oven (much to his wife's chagrin) to ensure a healthy start to his seedlings.   He would lovingly send an “order form” to each child to select their seedlings of choice for their own gardens.  Not only did he love his vegetable gardening, he also enjoyed flower gardening. He loved to experiment with new plants and pored over the garden catalogs with joy.   Ted loved nature. He enjoyed his time in the woods, fishing and hunting with family and friends.  He was a conservationist and was a school community leader for Trees for Tomorrow.  Each Arbor Day he separated tree seedlings for each child in the Neenah school district, earning him the nickname “Mr. Shade.”  A tree is dedicated in his name at Riverside Park in Neenah. Dad also thoroughly enjoyed music and singing.  He earned his high school letter in band and played the drums.  To earn money when he was young, he was a drummer in a variety of different bands.  

Ted graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1948. He attended Manitowoc County Normal where he earned his teaching certificate.  He earned his Bachelor's Degree in education at UW Oshkosh, and later his Master's Degree at UW Milwaukee. He was a beloved elementary school principal who created a special connection with his students, especially those kids who might have needed a little extra love.  He was always there for them. He retired in 1987.

Dad was a true patriot.  He proudly served in the US Army 1951-1953.  The flag was always properly flown at his home, and he never missed a Memorial Day parade.

Theodore is survived by his children; Jo Ann (Jerry) Allen; Lynn (Brian) Tungate; Daniel (Lori) Jarosh; Mary (Kim) Kovich; Anita (James) Stadtmueller; Jeanne (Christopher) Booher; and daughter-in-law, Jean Jarosh; grandchildren Elizabeth (Matt) Masino; Robert (Katy) Allen; Michael (Emily) Allen; Evan Tungate; Martha (Tim) Rumlow; Ben (fiancé Anya Kurolapnik) Jarosh; Noah Jarosh; Aaron Jarosh; Jessica (Jason) Wander; Jeffrey (fiancé Rose Meagher) Reynolds; Emily (Scott) Sopata; Sara (Lyle) Krueger; Joseph (fiancé Alaena Wocking) Dachelet; Daniel Dachelet; Adam (Megan) Jarosh; Jacob Jarosh; great-grandchildren Miles and Jason Allen; Nora and Teigan Allen, Delilah, Wyatt and Harrison Wander; Rylee and Theo Sopata; Chase, Maddox, and Paxton Krueger; Penelope Jarosh; in-laws Dorothe Jarosh; Monica (Gene) Ahrens; Benedict (Patricia) Kleiber; Helen Crocker; Merle Kleiber; Andy Holschbach.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Rose Marie; son William “Bill” Jarosh; parents Joseph and Anita Jarosh; siblings Joseph (Bette) Jarosh; Janet (Carl) Rosinski; Daniel (Germaine) Jarosh; William Jarosh, Robert (Bea) Jarosh; Beverly (James) Wotruba; Parent in-laws Anton and Mary Kleiber; brothers and sisters-in-law Bernard (Carol) Kleiber; Richard (Gloria and Harriet) Kleiber; Anthony Kleiber; Johnny Kleiber; Jerome Kleiber; Rita Kleiber; Dorothy (Pat) Peterson; Marion Holschbach; Dolores (Donald) Holschbach; Fred Crocker.

A celebration of Ted's life will be held with Mass at 11:30 am on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division Street, Neenah.  Visitation will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church prior to the Mass from 10:00 am to the start of Mass. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to St Joseph Food Pantry would be greatly appreciated.  The mailing address is 1465A Opportunity Way, Menasha, WI 54952 or please go online at www.stjoesfoodprogram.org

The family sincerely thanks the Prairieside 2 wing and entire staff at Park View Health Center in Oshkosh for their wonderful care of Ted.