Service Details
In accordance of Star’s final wishes, her services will remain private.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kenosha County ADRC may be sent in her honor.
8600 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha, WI 53143-6514
ph 262-605-6646 /fx 262-605-6649
Star Lynn Rondeau, beloved wife, partner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on October 13, 2023, at the age of 75. She was born to the late Harvey and Martha (nee: Chukan) Wiemelt on January 31, 1948.
Star grew up in Kenosha, attended Victory Grade School, Lance Middle School, and both Bradford and Tremper High School where she graduated with the class of 1967. After high school, she took a job at Tops where she met Raymond H. Rondeau. They married on February 8, 1969, and had five children: Shane, Gary, Joel, Starlet, and Brett before Raymond’s passing in 1995.
Star raised her children to love reading, art, math, science, and music. She often took her children to museums in Chicago, concerts at the Bandshell, and trips to caves in Wisconsin and Kentucky. She supported her children’s musical endeavors and was recognized by the Kenosha Band Boosters for her exceptional efforts. Star put her children in summer music programs, as well as College For Kids at UW Parkside, where she enjoyed watching them march in field shows and learn in a variety of summer classes. Star also encouraged her children to create their own recipes, including a not-so-delectable dish created after her children read the book How to Eat Fried Worms. Nevertheless, she allowed her children the opportunity to be creative in the kitchen, while politely declining a taste of the dish they made. Star always put her children first, which they knew and adored.
Star delighted in being a mother and grandmother. She was regularly found in the kitchen teaching her children and grandchildren special recipes from her family as well as her husband’s family. She took joy in creating elaborate meals at the holidays, and loved being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. One of her favorite recipes to teach her grandchildren was plum dumplings, and she made enormous batches each fall when the plums were ripe and ready to be turned into her delectable concoction. Never could it be said that a person left her home without a full belly and a happy heart.
When not doting on her children, Star could often be heard singing Elvis songs, or seen in her garden growing vegetables and herbs, and also repurposing furniture. She was also known to sew outfits for her children when they were younger, including some last minute costumes for school plays that her children may have forgotten to mention until the night before.
In 1986, Star took a job at Marina Gardens Restaurant and became the most well-known third shift manager the restaurant had ever seen. Star became a local legend who enjoyed waiting on the variety of customers that came through the doors. She worked there until her retirement, shortly after which Marina Gardens stopped serving third shift because, rumor has it, there was no one as phenomenal as Star to take over.
Ed Jelinek joined Star’s life in 1996, and according to Ed, they spent, “27 years, 4 months, 28 days, 2 hours, and 30 minutes” in love together. Star planned trips all over the world, and Ed happily accompanied her on these journeys. Two of Star’s favorite locations were Japan and China. Star collected a variety of keepsakes from her trips, particularly her trips to the East. One of her fondest memories was walking the Great Wall of China with Ed by her side. There wasn’t a place on the planet that Star wanted to go to that Ed wasn’t happy to join her. Their life together was a beautiful journey, both on the road and at home together in Kenosha.
Star is survived by her partner, Ed Jelinek; her five children: Shane (Carly) Rondeau, Gary (Jane) Rondeau, Joel (Lisa) Rondeau, Starlet (Aaron) Malczewski, and Brett (Kelley) Rondeau; her 15 grandchildren: Holly Perkins, Sierra (Drew) Hoekenga, Sam (Jasmine) Rondeau, Jolie Larson, Lilie Larson, Sophie Rondeau, Jonah Rondeau, Lauren Rondeau, Madeline Rondeau, Seth Brooks, Ethan Brooks, Emma Malczewski, Caleb Rondeau, Addison Rondeau, and Reid Rondeau; two great-grandchildren: Aella Perkins and Ren Perkins; three sisters: Dawn Snell, Twyla (Richard) Phillips, and Morna Wiemelt; the family of her partner, Ed: Alan (Michele) Jelinek, Laura (Gary) Nettekoven, Tim Jelinek, Anika Nettekoven, Aiden Nettekoven, Anderson Nettekoven, Kristina Pate, Chad Pate, and Janet Dujmovic; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Terri & Bradley Eisenberg says
I was fortunate enough to meet Star and Ed at Jim and my daughter Aimees engagement party. It didnt take 5 minutes to feel like we had been family for years! She was a wonderful human and will be missed terribly by any all who knew her. May her memory be a blessing to her family!!
Anonymous says
Star was a one time of all things. A friend indeed to.everyne she reached out to with her helping and friendlynways I will miss her so much . I worked together with her for a lot of years and she became a good friend ..guiding me .listening to problems I mave have… going shopping ..seeing Dolly Parton and a few other stars going shopping in middle of night for Christmas. And so much more . She was an angel In disguise . She would everything in her power to help someone e . I will miss this lady tremendously and my prayers go out to her family and friends . Rest I. Peace my friend .I know you you will taking off there as you did here on earth.. I ❤️ you and will miss you so much
Patricia helton says
I will miss her i am saddened.tremendously. She was an angel.on earth and did so much to help all people.ahe Instilled in her childre The values she was brought up with . I knew her over 3o yes and we did concerts coffee dates ..Christmas shopping. In middle of night and just catching up . I knew no one that different care about here
Dawn says
Star was my first baby sister and I did not appreciate her intruding into my only, and therefore, favorite child status. However, through the years she was the one who became the family peace keeper as well as the memory keeper. She had the biggest heart of anyone I ever met. Even though we always lived miles and countries apart she did her best to keep me posted as to family doings. She will be missed by everyone that knew her, and that amounts to legions of folks. RIP dear sister.
Patricia Helton says
Star was an angel on earth .top priority her children whom she passed on her caring .ways and
I nstilled In. Them her caring ways . She was always helping other people and her life was always about motivation and moving forward
beliefs on Life .
Jason Hedman says
For several years I was a bartender at Paddy O’s Pub across the street from Marina Gardens. At least once a week, I would stop in to the restaurant for a bite after cleaning the bar and Star and I would have great chats, sometimes about her upcoming trips, but more often about the drunk idiots we encountered in the evening, we would compare notes and consider if they were the same people. She was always a delight to talk to and a Downtown Kenosha legend. My condolences to her family and friends.
Donna and Denny White says
I grew up in South Kenosha as did Star, she was younger but her qualities as an adult were evident in her youth! We both went to Victory School and had Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Geary, we ran into her over the years, not during the late shift at Marina Gardens however! She was beautiful inside and out, I am proud to call her my friend! Rest in Peace lovey! ❤️
Bonny Grabowski says
I am sending your family big hugs. I remember your mom as a witty, takented woman who loved her family very much. She will live on in when you cook plum dumplings and sing to Elvis. Rest in peace, Star
Brad Cole says
I am very sad to have read this. I haven’t seen Star in so many years. But I will never forget seeing and talking to her back in my youthful nights, which I had quite a few back in the days. I always enjoyed talking to her at night at Marina Gardens. She was always so nice, but also knew how to run a tight ship. For her size, she was nothing to mess around with. At that time, I lived down the road from her on 50th St. So I would stop and talk to her when I was passing by and she was outside working in the yard. She will truly be missed by so many of us whom remember those late nights. This is a great loss for her family, friends and a community. Her name says it all, as night time falls, the stars will come out, may she rise and travel the world again.
Kathy Meyer says
Star and I became friends when we lived on 43rd Ave and our children were very. She was a special gal and I’m sure she will be missed. You all have my deepest sympathy. Happy Memories.
Annie Wright says
I remember Star from Marina Gardens. She was very friendly and nice and she was a fantastic waitress. I’m very sorry for her family’s loss. Please know you are all in my prayers and I’m sending hugs to all of you.