Jean Kathryn Cejka

Jean Kathryn Cejka, 26-year resident of Redlands, died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on July 2, 2015. She was born in New York, to Walter and Kathryn Keller, the third of four children. At an early age, Jean relocated with her family to Santa Paula, California, where she attended local schools and became a dental assistant. In 1940, she married George Cejka of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, whom she had met while he was visiting her best friend's family. They lived in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and in Cleveland Heights, Ohio before moving back to California and eventually settling in Costa Mesa. There, she served as Charter President of the St. John the Baptist School Auxiliary, later becoming church secretary for the school's parish (of the same name). In 1989, Jean and George moved to Redlands to be closer to relatives. During her first several years in Redlands, Jean served as a docent at Kimberly Crest House and Gardens. She loved to cook, and edited two editions of her own cookbook, Begged, Borrowed, and Stolen. Her signature recipe was "Potatoes Elegante." She also dabbled in poetry, and as a result, many of her friends received odes that she had penned in their honor. Jean knitted baby booties and afghans, having completed 37 of the latter before she died. In addition, she was an avid reader and worked several crosswords a day. Over the years, she contributed to and edited a number of newsletters, including The St. John's School Courier and those for the El Bailando Dance Club and Dearborn Grove. Jean is survived by Kathleen Cejka, Redlands, California; Robert Cejka, Mill Creek, Washington; Janet Ellerman, Crestline, California; and Dr. Mary Ann Cejka, Mahopac, New York; grandson Christopher Cejka; four great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Gordon Ludwig; and several nieces and nephews. Jean's body will be interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Orange, California, after a funeral Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Redlands, where Jean had been active with Catholic Daughters, Mission Circle, and the Italian Catholic Federation. Her family wishes to acknowledge Comfort Keepers of Yucaipa and her primary caregiver, Bobbi Gileno, who lovingly cared for her on a daily basis for many years. A funeral mass will be held for Jean on Tuesday, July 7, at 10:30am at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Olive Avenue in Redlands, California. Interment will be the following day, Wednesday, July 8, at 11:00am at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, California.