Jean Laske

Mrs. Laske was the devoted mother of Deborah (Eric Collis), David (Rose Anne), and Michelle (Ken Chesney, Jr), and lifelong partner of Roger Laske.  Further survivors include Mrs. Laske's cherished grandchildren,  Evan (fiancée Isabelle Edhlund), Collin, and Tyler Laske; Rachel and Connor Collis, and Kyle Laske.  She was the sister of Dr. Stanley (Diane) Skavery, Thomas (Jayne), Gerald Skavery (late Theresa). Jean was predeceased by her brother Raymond. Jean is also survived my many nephews and nieces.

Jean was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, and moved to Michigan when she was an infant.  Growing up first in Warren and later in Center Line, Jean was the oldest child; the remaining four siblings were all boys.  Upon moving to Center Line, Jean lived a typical childhood for the 1950s.

While attending St. Clement Catholic grade school and high school, Jean was part of the Sodality of Mary, Teacher’s Club and Pep Club.  While in her junior year, Jean worked at Berke’s 5 & Dime on Van Dyke. Upon graduation from St. Clement in 1959, Jean attended the University of Detroit for two years and a computer school in downtown Detroit before starting work at the Bank of Commonwealth headquarters in downtown Detroit as well.

In September 1961, Jean and Roger Laske were the first couple to be married in the new St. Clement Church in Center Line.  They started their family with the birth of their first child while living in the Kramer Homes Co-op in Center Line.  In 1963 they moved to Warren where their other two children were born; Deborah in 1962, David in 1963 and Michelle in 1968.  In mid-1968, the family moved to Shelby Township, Michigan where the children were raised and spent their formative years, ultimately graduating from Eisenhower High School.

Jean worked at various jobs over the years; Welcome Wagon, Tupperware Manager, Sales Manager at J. C. Penny's, Department Manager at Jacobson’s in Rochester, and at Entech as a contract employee for Chrysler.  Jean obtained her Associates Degree in Business from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.  After Roger’s retirement, Jean and Roger moved to a home on the lake in Lake Orion.

A Funeral Mass for Jean will be held Saturday March 21, 2020 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 40501 Hayes Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.  Jean will lie in state from 8:30 am until time of the Funeral Liturgy at 9:30 am.  Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Michael Quaine.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS…in light of the National Emergency regarding the Coronavirus (COVID 19), and our concern for your health and safety, we wish to extend our understanding should anyone feel the need to avoid the public gathering for Jean’s Funeral Mass. With restrictions increasing daily on the suggested number of people for community attendance, we are expecting to welcome mostly immediate family members for Mass. There will be no visitation beforehand, nor luncheon to follow. For now, thank you for your understanding, thoughts and prayers,…and please stay safe.       

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to FRAXA Research Foundation, 10 Prince Place, Ste 203, Newburyport, MA 01950,...or to (fraxa.org/donate).

Please share memories of Jean at her guest book below.