Jean Marie (Calkins) Roskams

Jean was born in Green Bay on September 9, 1957, the daughter of Edward and Mildred (Faina) Calkinsand the sister of Judy (Pat) Keller, Kathy Downham, and Patty Barnett (deceased). Jean, Patty and Kathy left GreenBay in the early 70’s and lived on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Jean married a “local boy” from Hawaii, Bruno Oroyan, where they had two sons, Eddie and Bill Oroyan. Today, Eddie and his wife, Jessica, practice regenerative farming on the North Shore of Oahu. Bill with his wife, Shana, live in Green Bay and have blessed Jean and Tim with four grandchildren: Kalaia, Kai, Liam and Ailis. Jean returned to Green Bay where she married the love of her life, Tim Roskams. Through their marriage, Jean was blessed with another adult son, Tony Roskams, his wife, Leanne, and grandchildren Randi and Kail. Tim and Jean shared twenty years, building sweet memories that will last forever, with their Lord andSavior, Jesus, at the center of their marriage. They traveled all around this great country in their motor home and spent many nights at their cabin up north, but it was the day-to-day life that was so rich for Jean and Tim. Tim could make her laugh in a heartbeat. They pulled together and completed projects and solved problems. There was no resentment in either of their hearts. They started out new each morning with love for one another.The Life Bridge Church family played a major role in their lives. It is a church where the love is real and the Doctrine is sound! Jean sang on the Worship Team and Tim has and continues to oversee the buildings and grounds, extending warm greetings to everyone he meets. Jean worked for over thirty years in the commercial interiors industry, starting at NEW Office Supply, the“best and most fun place to work in the world!” Target Commercial Interiors brought Jean to a whole new level with their professionalism and through the amazing women at the helm, Carol & Vickie. After retiring, Jean spent seven years leading bible studies at the Green Bay Correctional Institute. She was always so proud of these men and blessed in the diligent work they did to open their hearts to Christ. Jean also inspired her husband and sons through her selfless love and Christ-like servanthood, bringing great comfort and a clear example of how to care for others.Through Jean’s travels she was often drawn to doors, stopping to admire or take photos of them. She loved their simplicity and the curiosity they invoked. 

Let’s take a moment and briefly open a door into the heart of Jean:

- Jean enjoyed life! In particular, she loved being outdoors: gardening, camping, walking the beach looking for shells and stones. Nature was in her blood.

- Jean loved to cook! Making delicious meals for everyone to eat was pure joy for her.

- Play was also central to how Jean lived, whether putting on fake teeth with her sisters, playing a challenging board game with her grandchildren or a spirited game of cribbage with Tim, or learning a dance phrase from a professional break dancer in Belgium. She was a kid at heart.

- Jean especially loved to sing! She could gently offer up a hymn at church or soulfully bust out Proud Mary at karaoke.- Above all, her passion was sharing the love of Jesus with people, quick to give credit to Christ for the joy that moved through her. Jean would like to give thanks and ask blessings for the many special relationships in her life. 

But what if even one person is left out? It is the desire of Jean’s heart that “YOU” feel loved by her. To begin, Jean’s eighteen year-old cat, Danny, insisted on mentioning their dear neighbor and friend, Ann. Oh, and then there is Krista, “the best teacher ever!” Evonne, who is “fascinatable” (she gets her own word to describe her!). Jean’s prayer warrior and sister in Christ, Karla. Sons Eddie, Bill and Tony, of whom she is so proud. Grandchildren that made Jean feel so loved! Niece, Mandy, and great nieces, Ramona and Patty. Nephews, Ed and Robert, and grandnephew, Michael. Ellie, who gifted Jean with the horseback rides of her life! Janet Gollnick, Jean’s mentor and dear friend. And so many more that taught her how to love. Finally, a special thanks to Dr. Guntupalli, Nurse Martha and the rest of the team at The Bellin Cancer Center, as well as Dr. Block and his staff at Mayo Clinic. God Bless You! 

Please join the celebration of the life for Jean on September 13 at Life Bridge Christian Church, 2496 Glendale Avenue, Howard, WI. Visitation from 9 am until service at 11 am.