Jean Ann Dorney was born in Waukesha, WI on June 8, 1958, to David and Carol Jean (McCauley) Craigmile. Her father, David, passed away when she was 6 months old. When her mother remarried Robert “Abbie” Karlslyst, he adopted both Jean and her elder brother Richard, as his own, and so Jean gained the new last name of Karlslyst.

Jean “fell in love” with music at a very young age by playing the organ at her Grandma Helen McCauley’s home. Her parents and grandparents encouraged her interest in piano and she went on to earn a B.A. in Piano Performance at UW-Green Bay.

Jean began her career as a ballet accompanist with the Minnesota Dance Theater. She served as Staff Accompanist at Hennepin Center for the Arts in Minneapolis, and later with the String Academy of Wisconsin. Jean had an innate gift for teaching, and loved working with students of all ages, but especially children. She developed the popular “Piano for Pleasure” Continuing Education program for adults at UW-Milwaukee Washington County. As the “go-to” accompianist for the Menomonee Falls School District, she coached many students to state honors. She taught private lessons for 30+ years, and was incredibly proud of her 6 “generations” of students taught from beginners to intermediate learners. She had a special interest in the development of technique. Her teachers included Dorothy Taubman of the Taubman Institute for Piano and Heidi Mayer of Chicago. A strong Christian, Jean also shared her gift of music participating in worship events and churches her entire adult life.

Jean’s creative and passionate personality was reflected in her deep commitment to parenting and homeschooling. Likewise she had many interests and hobbies like knitting, cooking, and scrapbooking. She enjoyed outdoor activities including gardening, bicycling, canoeing, hiking and camping. She had many fond memories of family time in Door County and walks along Lake Michigan.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents David Craigmile, Robert Karlslyst and Carol Karlslyst; her aunt Janice Quam, and cousin Barb Daemmrich. She will be missed by son Andrew Dorney (Erin) and grandson Theodore of Milwaukee, WI; daughter Brianna Dorney Seipel (Joel) of Hudson, WI; son Ian Dorney-Riffle (Mari) of Wauwatosa, WI; brother Richard Karlslyst (Pam); sister Susan Karlslyst Sanderson (Mike); cousins Bonnie Daemmrich (Dean Nelson) and Bob Daemmrich (Janis); and nieces and nephews Christina, Samantha, Josh, and Aaron.

Visitation on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, N84 W17937 Menomonee Ave in Menomonee Falls from 9AM until time of the Funeral Service at 11AM. Final Resting Place, Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon.