Jean Martha Schwartzlow

Jean Martha Schwartzlow, age 97, of Janesville, died at home on Monday, July 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. Jean was born January 29, 1926, in Janesville, WI, to Edward and Martha (Thorman) Krause. After her mother died when Jean was three years old, Jean was raised in part by her grandparents and a series of aunts as Jean’s father, Ed, was in the service, then busy running his business, Krause’s Tavern.

Jean graduated from Janesville High School and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising. In fashion, she liked anything that sparkled and always said that “a girl can't have too much sparkle.” After college, she enjoyed working at Hagen's House of Fashion in downtown Janesville.

On August 3, 1946, at the persuasion of her aunt, Jean agreed to attend a dance with a young gentleman at the Dutch Mill Ballroom on Delavan Lake. On her birthday the next year, this same man proposed, and she married “Bud” Schwartzlow a few months later on May 22, 1947. The two would continue dancing for their 72-year marriage, each other's best partners, “forever in love.”

The following year, “Bud” and Jean joined her father and stepmother Mary to operate Krause’s Town and Country Restaurant in Janesville, which they continued to do for the next forty years and where their three girls--Lana, Janet, and Jane--would also work as they grew up. Together, the family proudly served generations of guests, some of whom still remember their famous prime rib and rice pudding. The couple received “Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year” in 1985 by the Blackhawk Chapter of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

Every summer, Jean and her family would close the restaurant for two weeks at the beginning of July for a family vacation. It was ironic that the time of her passing was near the five o'clock cocktail and dancing hour at the start of the usual vacation week; “Bud” probably had a reservation and was awaiting her with a brandy Manhattan!

Being close with family and having gatherings were important to Jean because of the instability she endured growing up. She spoke about being passed around as a child, feeling a bit like an orphan. She gained a sense of belonging through her strong group of girlfriends called the "Mighty Eight," which stayed close for their entire lives and of which she was the last surviving member. She loved parties, entertaining and she cherished her bridge club gatherings each month. The game of golf was a joint passion with her husband “Bud” as Pioneer members of the Janesville Country Club, and later together, taking spontaneous golfing trips throughout the state. Jean was active with her church, volunteering as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher over the years.

Jean’s greatest treasures were her family. She will be greatly missed by her daughters and their families: Janet (Dennis) Fugate, Jane (Blaine) Vance; six grandchildren: Allen (Jamie) Fugate, Arra (Ladel Cass) Van Galder, Brody (Lara) Vance, Leah (Joseph) Lidbury, Scott (Hany) Fugate, and Lacy (Ryan Pope) Wolter; nine great-grandchildren: Alex Fugate, Carter Fugate, Davis Van Galder-Cass, Aris Fugate, Ellery Van Galder-Cass, Conner Vance, Kelsey Vance, Brooke Lidbury, and Jax Fugate; and one great-great-grandchild, Leilani Fugate. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert William “Bud” Schwartzlow, daughter Lana Van Galder, and son-in-law David Van Galder.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, 302 N. Parker Drive, Janesville. Rev. Bond Haldeman will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. A private burial will be held at Milton Lawns Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or the Rock County Historical Society.

A special thanks from the family to the staff at Cedar Crest, all Jean’s personal caregivers, (especially Jane who helped with “Bud” and Jean from the start) allowing her to remain comfortable in her home.

The Schwartzlow family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.