Ann Rondeau

Mrs. Ann Elizabeth (Jones) Rondeau, age 91, of Port Washington, Wis., passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 14, 2021. We take solace that she is reunited with Joe, her husband of 65 years, who passed away on Father’s Day last June.  Together they made Port Washington their home for over 55 years.  

Throughout her life Ann was a patient, giving and hard working person. She was a devout Catholic and was devoted to her family and many friends.

Ann was born on April 8, 1930, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Patrick and Rose (McGinnis) Jones.  

She grew up in Hubbard, Neb., with her three sisters and two brothers on the family’s cattle farm.  

 Following high school, Ann attended Briar Cliff College with her sister Monica. She continued her studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1952 in pursuit of her dream of becoming a teacher. She was a member of Theta Phi Alpha (National Catholic Social Society), Sigma Tau Delta (National Honorary English Fraternity) and Phi Delta Phi (National Honorary French Fraternity).

After graduation she worked as a second grade teacher.

While at Marquette, she met fellow student Joseph Rondeau. They married on Aug. 20, 1955, at St. Rose Catholic Church, Milwaukee. Together they raised eleven children.  

Through example and instruction, Ann imparted the value of education to her children.  She took pride that all graduated from college and built successful careers.  Ann was always quick to share the news of the latest successes among the family, especially to motivate the others! Despite the work of managing such a large family, Ann continued to find time for her passion of teaching, both in schools and with the church’s religious education.

She and Joe enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and internationally. She especially enjoyed their trip to Ireland, where her ancestors were from, and their annual winter trips to Destin, Fla.  Ann and Joe loved to be on the road to visit their 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren spread throughout the country — Tamara (David) Karakis, Dr. J. Scott Breunig (Kathryn), Natalie Rondeau, Loren Gamarra, Dr. Nathan Gamarra, Alicia O’Connor, C. Seamus O’Connor, Jacqueline O’Connor, Ashley (Cameron) Hoch, Patrick Meverden, Ethan Eisen, Owen Eisen, Alexandria Liszewski, Nicholas Liszewski, Felicity Rondeau and Cole Christiansen; great-grandchildren Tanner Karakis, Julie Karakis and Caleb Hoch;  and stepgrandchildren Alana Taylor and Katelyn Tennant.

Ann is survived by two sisters, Monica Geissler of Baton Rouge, La., and  Dorothy Jones of Sylmar, Calif.; 10 of her children, Mary Ann Breunig, Dr. Patrick Rondeau, Monica Gamarra, JoAnn O’Connor, Joseph Rondeau, Kathleen Taylor, Dorothy Eisen, Ann Rondeau, James Rondeau and Colleen Christiansen.   

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Reynold Rondeau (2020), son Joseph Edward Rondeau (1958), granddaughter Alexandria Liszewski (2015) and three siblings, Patrick “Casey” Jones, Robert Jones and Mary Lou Charlton.  

A funeral Mass will be held May 21, 2021, at 4 p.m. in Port Washington at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish’s St. Peter of Alcantara Church, followed by burial at St. Mary’s  Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Ann Rondeau to the  Milwaukee Rescue Mission (milmission.org) or St John XXIII Catholic Parish  (stjohn23rd.org).

Assisting the family is Poole Funeral Home in Port Washington, Wis.  Information and condolences are available at poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.