Jacqueline Mary Meister, “Jackie” to all who knew and loved her, 91, of Sturgeon Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord, Monday evening, October 10, 2022 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.
She was born January 20, 1931 in Algoma, the daughter of Melvin Jacob Blahnik, Sr. and Emeline Caroline (Schmitz) Blahnik. Jackie grew up attending St. Mary Catholic Church and Grade School in Algoma. She graduated from Algoma High School, the class of 1948. Jackie first met her husband, James Howard Meister while working at the bowling alley (for $0.10/game) in Algoma. They were united in marriage on May 25, 1948 at Jim’s parents’ home (off State Highway 42 between Maplewood and Forestville). They eventually moved to Sturgeon Bay and lived on Juniper Street on the west side of Sturgeon Bay where they raised their family of nine. Jackie attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church with her family and eventually St. Joseph Catholic Church, both in Sturgeon Bay.
She was employed at various establishments in Sturgeon Bay throughout her life - initially at Ray's Grocery Store (where Bridgeport is currently located); then with Krueger canning (where Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Co. is now located). She also worked for Chico's Cherry factory, then Jolin’s Drug Store (downtown), before going to work for Isaaksen’s Laundromat (on the west side)
Jackie’s primary and final employment was with the Door County Senior resource Center in Sturgeon Bay where she was the first bus driver, initially providing transportation with her own van. She drove residents and area community members around the county until her eventual retirement in 1992.
Jackie and Jim moved to Bay Shore Drive just outside the city limits of Sturgeon Bay, in the Town of Sevastopol in 1990. They were blessed with over 43 years of marriage. Jackie resided there until late spring of 2021 when she moved into the Pine Crest Village in Sturgeon Bay.
She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Institute as well as the A “Doorable” Red Hatters (of Door County). In the 1950s and 1960s, Jackie and Jim were members of the Door Devils Motorcycle Club. Earlier in life, she enjoyed bowling in various leagues at Cherry Lanes in Sturgeon Bay. Jackie looked forward to playing cards with her friends in their card club that got together regularly. She also liked traveling with friends as part of the Retired Persons Traveling Club.
Jackie will be missed by her four children, Kathy Meister of the Town of Sevastopol, Michael (Dale) Meister of Clifton, VA, Robert (Jerrilynn) Meister of California City, CA, and Patricia (Brent) LaVigne of Valmy; ten grandchildren, Jordan (Missy) Whipple and Zachary Meister, Lindsay and Michael Dylan Meister, Jennifer (Joe) Gomez and Kimberly (Chad) Adkinson, Tom (Jackie) LaVigne and Michael (Lisa) LaVigne, Tim Meister, and Christie Meister; and a large number of great-grandchildren. In addition, she’ll be missed by her brother, Melvin (Janet) Blahnik, Jr. of Florida; other relatives; and friends.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband James Meister; three sons, Richard, Thomas, and Jerome Meister; two grandsons, Peter Meister and Timothy Meister; sister, Barbara (Ervin) Stahl; sister-in-law, Jean Meister; and other relatives.
Her life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute, 4767 E. Dunn Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Fr. Robert Stegmann as celebrant. The Rosary will be prayed at the church at 9:10 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 with visitation for family and friends following from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Jackie will be laid to rest next to her late husband in the Forestville Town Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Jackie’s name for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County.
“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Richard Hogan and staff at Door County Medical Center, the Pine Crest Village staff, and the Unity Hospice staff for the wonderful care given to our mother.”
Huehns Funeral Home, Inc & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Meister family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Jackie may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
