Jane E. Ciske

Jane Ellen Ciske, 68, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at Zilber Family Hospice on August 5, 2026.

Jane was born on August 18, 1957, in Saint Joseph, Michigan, the second of five children of Mary and Harley Ninke. She was devoted to helping look after her siblings, Edward, Kellene, John and Lisa, and was a natural caregiver from an early age.

Although Jane spent much of her childhood in Wisconsin, some of her happiest and most cherished memories were of Michigan, particularly time spent with her grandmother Della Bishop. She loved swimming in Lake Michigan at the beaches of South Haven, a place she returned to often with her children.

Music was at the centre of Jane's life even as a child. Her brother John remembers falling asleep in their childhood home to the sound of Jane playing classical music on the piano. She was classically trained and became an accomplished pianist, as well as a talented player of bassoon, guitar and saxophone. She was also a wonderful singer, and loved music ranging from the Eagles, Bette Midler and Patsy Cline to Julie Andrews, the Beatles and Johnny Cash.

Jane married young and became a mother to her three children, Clayton, Hunter and Amanda. After her marriage ended, she raised the three of them while putting herself through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Music Therapy.

Her main career was as a music therapist, working with residents living with dementia in nursing and residential care homes. Jane had remarkable patience and an ability to connect with people.

She also continued to perform. For decades, she accompanied classes at the Milwaukee Ballet School. On weekends, she was often out performing around Milwaukee, both solo and with other local musicians.

For more than 25 years, Jane shared her life and her love of music with Joe Ladd, a talented fingerstyle guitarist. The two performed together at nursing homes, bringing music to people who might otherwise have had little opportunity to hear it.

Jane was always thinking about the people she loved. She was the person who would send a link to a dress she thought you might like, a toy she thought the children would love, an article she thought might cheer you up, or simply a message because she was thinking of you. She was warm-hearted and extraordinarily generous. She loved buying gifts, particularly clothes, and over the years it seemed that everyone in the family had been dressed by Jane at one time or another.

She was also funny, opinionated and completely herself. For a time she wore her blonde hair in pigtails and adored a black cowboy hat she had bought in New Mexico. She drove a blue station wagon with a famously loud muffler while blasting Roy Orbison, much to the embarrassment of her teenage children. She later upgraded to an impressive Cadillac.

She was an animal lover and especially loved her four dogs, Ernie, Micky, Jasper and Willie. She loved going to a lake, swimming, cooking and bringing people together. She was legendary for her good, old-fashioned comfort food and for making far more than anyone could possibly eat. Holidays at Jane's house were feasts, and her cookouts were an important part of family life.

Jane adored her grandchildren, Chase, Lexi, Arthur and Harley, and took great pride in watching each of them grow. She loved spending time with them, spoiling them at every opportunity, and treasured every picture and video shared from afar. Meeting Harley last year was a particular joy, as Jane loved to point out how much she reminded her of herself as a little girl.

Jane also delighted in passing her love of music on to the next generation, and had already begun building her grandchildren's own instrument collections so they could discover that joy for themselves.

Later in life, Jane faced another difficult change when she had to leave her career in music and retrain as a school bus driver. She persevered, and she was well liked and respected there too. Even after her diagnosis with stage 4 cancer, Jane continued working for as long as she could. She endured repeated rounds of chemotherapy and continued to show up for work despite the increasing pain and limitations that eventually brought an end to much of her performing life.

In her final years, Jane's greatest joy was watching her children and grandchildren grow. She remained a source of comfort and encouragement to the people she loved, always ready to listen, offer advice, send a thoughtful message or simply remind someone that they could get through whatever life had put in front of them.

Jane received exceptional care at Zilber Family Hospice in her final days. Her family will always be grateful for the kindness and comfort shown to Jane and her loved ones. Her children and family were able to be by her side, surrounding her with love until the end.

Jane is survived by her children, Clayton Ciske, Hunter Ciske and Amanda Faull; her grandchildren, Chase Ciske, Lexi Creighton, Arthur Faull and Harley Faull; and her siblings, Edward Ninke, John Ninke and Lisa Lilly.

For those who knew her, there will be countless ways she will be remembered: in a favourite song, a familiar recipe, a day at the lake, when there is good news to share or a challenge to work through.

She will be deeply missed and deeply loved.