Jean Elizabeth Gieseking

Jean was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edith (Petersen) and John Rusie on January 12, 1925. She graduated from Broad Ripple High School. She married Kenneth Charles Gieseking on September 30, 1950 at First Moravian Church in Indianapolis.

During WWII she worked as a telephone switchboard operator. She was a secretary for Flesch-Miller Tractor Company and Universal Studios in Indianapolis. She co-owned the Peggy-Jean Bakery & Pastry Shop at 30th & Sherman. After becoming a wife and mother, she embraced the role royally. She was active in PTA, YMCA Junior Janes, the church choir, and activities. She volunteered as treasurer for Haverford Moravian Church, as a Gray Lady at the VA, at Wheeler Mission, and Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving dinners. She and her dear friend, Louise, operated a corn dog wagon around Indy and took it to New Orleans to Mardi Gras. She also bartended at Kendall Inn & Elks Lodge #13. She later performed in Yesterways Revue, a troupe of semi-retired musicians, singers, and dancers. She was their resident Rosemary Clooney for 12 years. She loved entertaining, sewing, baking, cooking, boating, water skiing, square dancing, Indians baseball games, Indy 500’s, family get-togethers, and beating us all at her favorite card game Oh Hell into her 99th year. She competed in the 1987 Senior Olympics in St Louis, MO in breast stroke.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, sister Alice Marsh, sister Lois Smith, and brother John A. Rusie. Jean is survived by daughters Nancy and Carolyn, grandsons Jason Alderson and Peter (Starling) Wickes, great grandsons Parker Alderson and Cooper and Casper Wickes.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Crown Hill Cemetery. Please meet in the parking lot at the 38th street gate for the procession.

Memorials may be given to Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, and Wheeler Mission.