Jennifer Frances (Skura) Osmolski of Manistee, MI, died peacefully on February 20, 2017 after a long fight with Alzheimer's disease. She was 68 years old.

Jennifer married Robert Osmolski on August 16, 1969 at St. Casmir Church in Hammond, IN. She was the devoted mother of Mary (Jim) Olson of Buckley, MI, Cecilia (Scott) Brauer of Chicago, IL, and Joe of Fountain and Marquette, MI; and the beloved grandmother of Luke and Adam. She was the loving daughter of the late Stanley & the late Christine Skura, and cherished older sister to Barbara, David, Stacia, Stan, and Drew.

Jennifer graduated from Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, IN in 1966 and went on to earn a B.S. in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph College (Calumet Campus) in East Chicago, IN. Her first teaching job was at St. Columba in Chicago, IL and subsequently taught at St. James School in Montague, MI, and Ludington Area Catholic School in Ludington, MI.

Robert and Jennifer settled in Fountain, MI in 1974 and built their home on Thunder Lake where she eventually took a hiatus from teaching to raise Mary, Celia, and Joe. While away from the classroom she found joy as an active parishioner, lector, Eucharistic minister, and Director of Religious Education at St. John Cantius Parish in Free Soil.

The family moved to Manistee in 1986 and Jennifer returned to teaching again at Manistee Catholic Central, from where she retired in 2009. The majority of her time at MCC was spent teaching third grade; and most rewardingly preparing hundreds of students for the sacrament of First Communion. She introduced her students to the annual, Do Something: Kindness & Justice Challenge in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.; and in 2002, her 3rd graders were recognized nationally as a champion class by the organization. She also drove the school bus to and from field trips, and was inducted into MCC's Hall of Fame in 2003.

Jennifer continued her involvement in the church as a Religious Education Catechist at St. Joseph's in Manistee. She was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish (St. Joseph Church). She was also a member of St. Joseph's Rosary and Altar Society. Jennifer set a daily example of living out the Beatitudes. She had one of the most thoughtful and generous souls, and may have singlehandedly kept Hallmark in business with the number of cards she sent to friends and family for birthdays, holidays, and "just because".

Jennifer had a special place in her heart for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, the children of Fatima, and all of the Angels and Saints. It has also been said that Jennifer was first to coin the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" as a reminder to her students. Had she the foresight to trademark the question – WWJD – onto bracelets, she could have made a fortune; but likely would have donated it all to those in need, knowing that more you give, the more you receive. Jennifer loved jokes and puns, recognizing humor in the simple things that occur every day. She had an uncanny sense that even animals were good natured, and entrusted the family dog, Shadow, with great responsibility.

She loved lilacs and watching game shows, especially Jeopardy, other TV shows like, Leave it to Beaver, and Family Ties. She enjoyed watching MCC girls' basketball games, writing calligraphy, sewing, all kinds of word puzzles and games, listening and dancing to "the oldies", especially, The Temptations, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, and The Beetles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 25, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. Scott Lawler celebrant. Final interment will take place at St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery in Freesoil.

Family and friends will pray the evening vigil service at 7:00 PM on Friday evening at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Rosary service to follow. The Family will be at the church on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 PM to receive friends. The family will also be at the church 1 hour prior to Jennifer's funeral Mass on Saturday to receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jennifer's name to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund: http://curealz.org/in-memory/jennifer-osmolski or by mail 34 Washington St., Suite 200 Wellesley, MA 02481. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home and at the Church.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.