Mary Jane Reesnes (nee Schumacher, daughter of John) was born in Whitewater in 1920. She lived on 1st, near North Street, where Ketterhagen's parking lot is now. Across the street from her was the old Novelty Barn. They had horse sales on the north side of the building, and on the east side of the Novelty Barn they a watering trough just by the door as the horses would go in. Next to Mary Jane's house was Mrs. Mayhan and then the Raincoat Factory to the south. They made tents and other objects for the servicemen at that time. Leo Perry started the Raincoat Factory at this location. Later he moved it to Main Street, near Dr. Dunn's office, and then to Whitewater Street, in the second story of the Van Vorhees Building, once the Old Armory, later the Schrobel building.

Mary Jane worked for Leon Pescheret for years and she and her husband Jim lived in the back above the garage in what was called the "chalet." Mary Jane would keep the studio while Leon Pescheret and his wives (first Grace, then Katherine) travelled, keeping the studio open and selling many etchings over the years. Her favorite etching was called "Land O' Lakes." Grace and Mary Jane were good friends and Grace was a good mentor and such a lady.

She remembers the Old Log cabin, and had relatives that were born there. Uncle Duey Hamilton was born there in the 1800s. Uncle Duey and Aunt Lu used to come visit from Waukegan Illinois and once brought Mary Jane's family a little dog, Princie, that a neighbor had been abusing.

Mary Jane graduated from City High School in 1938, and one of her classmates and friends was Elfrieda Kraege. They were in the same Latin class, and Elfrieda always knew her Latin. Also in the class were Faith Meissner and Jane Kettwig. They had a large graduating class.

A few years ago Fred Kraege brought Mary Jane a postcard signed by her father, a photo of Main Street.