Jeanette Counsell, mother of ex-Brewers manager Craig, dies at age 79
Jeanette Counsell, the mother of former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, died Feb. 8 at the age of 79.
Born in Sheboygan Falls as Jeanette Clara Rau, she earned a teaching degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and worked at several high schools, including as a business teacher at St. Joan Antida.
From her obituary in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
"Her second professional act was in hospitality and led her to Florida and an office with a view of beautiful Fort Myers Beach. She managed Cane Palm Condominiums on the Gulf of Mexico with the passion and energy of a teenager and worked tirelessly to make every guest and families stay memorable.
"Project Jan, as she has been nicknamed, was a get things done type, before one project or job was finished, another was started. She was a brilliant seamstress who outfitted many brides. The house was beautiful and the dinner table always plentiful due to her wonderful gardening and cooking skills. She was a natural at golf. She could fix anything. And she loved hosting guests in her home. Sometimes John wished she would just sit down for a minute. She was a kind, strong, capable, loving and creative soul who led a genuinely full life."
Jan Counsell had been suffering dementia for the past five years, but two weeks ago fell in her Milwaukee home, and her health quickly deteriorated.
“It was very peaceful at the end," Craig Counsell told USA TODAY Sports. “You see your parents live a certain way. ... It was a blessing in a weird way. It’s hard on my dad for sure, 56 years of marriage.
“It’s that stage of life, man, and I was lucky to have my parents alive for 80 years."
Jan met her husband, John, while teaching at Oconomowoc High School. John was the director of community relations and the speaker bureau for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1978 to 1988, when a young Craig Counsell first experienced the franchise.
Craig Counsell, a graduate of Whitefish Bay High School, became the winningest manager in Brewers history during his tenure from 2015-2023.
Jan is survived by her husband, two children and six grandchildren. A celebration of her life will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 for visitation with a service to follow at noon at Schramka Funeral Home, 13220 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Joan Antida High School or the Senior Friendship Centers of Florida.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jeanette Counsell, mother of ex-Brewers manager Craig, dies at 79
