Jean K. Milder, age 99, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2026. She was a resident of Gunnison, CO, for twelve years and was formerly a resident of Colorado Springs, CO.
Emma Jean Kish was born on May 25, 1927, to Romanian emigrants Julius Kish and Helen (Cosarca) Kish in Aurora, IL. She graduated from DePaul University and began a career as a registered nurse in public health. She met Dr. Jack W. Milder while the two were working at Copley Memorial Hospital. They were married in Chicago on October 11, 1952. Jean and Jack started a family, moving to Mount Vernon, NY to raise their two daughters. Eventually they followed their younger daughter and her family to Colorado Springs, CO, where they enjoyed a happy retirement.
Jean had a beautiful and full life. She and Jack loved attending the theatre while living in New York City, everything from Broadway to ballet. They often traveled with friends and family, spending time in New Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Romania, and on a number of cruises. Jean loved games—she and Jack played bridge, and Jean held the family title of Scrabble matriarch for many years. An exceptional hostess, she was skilled in the kitchen, cooking and baking for her colleagues and loved ones. The homemade gingerbread cookies she and Jack baked and decorated as favors each Christmas have been an ongoing family tradition. She was kind and generous, with a sharp, quick wit. Her favorite cocktail was an old fashioned and she had a wonderful sense of humor.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 2002 and her son-in-law, Raymond (Ray), in 2025. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Sackie (Ray) and Mary Varoğlu (Salih); her grandchildren: Julia Summey (Josh), Taylor Varoğlu (Alli), and Talia Varoğlu; and her great grandchildren, Jillian and Joshua Coutu.
Jean’s funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, followed by entombment next to her husband Jack at the Shrine of Remembrance at 12:30pm.