----Sources: Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wis.) 12 Jan. 2004

Hibbard, Jane (11Oct. 1912 - 7 Jan. 2004)

Jane Mooney Hibbard, age 91, of Eau Claire, Wis., died peacefully Wednesday, January 7, 2004, at home in the presence of her daughters. Jane was born October 11, 1912, in Eau Claire, the daughter of Thomas and Grace (Morrison) Mooney.

She received her entire education in Eau Claire beginning with the 2nd Ward School and culminating with the receipt of a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Eau Claire Teacher’s College in 1934. She taught English and choral music in Eau Claire, Greenwood and Withee before her marriage to the love of her life, Richard E. Hibbard. They were married on June 24, 1939, in Eau Claire at Bethel Baptist Church. She and Richard began married life in Allentown, Penn., where Richard was on the faculty of Mulenberg College.

During World War II, they moved to Washington D.C. where he joined the Department of State. In 1947, they returned to Eau Claire when Richard joined the EC Teachers? College faculty. Except for a two-year return to government service in the 1950s, the remaining years of their lives were spent in Eau Claire. Their academic life continued together until Richard’s death in 1972, while he was serving as Chancellor of UW-EC. Jane was a member of First Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and directing the junior choir, Eau Claire Women’s Club, Sacred Heart Auxiliary, PEO Chapter AF and UW-EC Faculty Wives. At one time she served on the Eau Claire City Board of Parks and Recreation. She was a dedicated volunteer in many community causes.

She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her sense of humor will be remembered by those who knew her best. She loved language, music, movies, reading, current events and was a passionate advocate for the students of UW-EC. Jane’s deep Christian faith was always a comfort to her and an inspiration to her family.

She is survived by two daughters, Sally (Curt) Hanson of Marshfield, Wis., and Liz (Gerry) Isaacson of Minnetonka, Minn.; six grandchildren, Jim Hanson of Anchorage, Alaska, Robert (Jackie) Hanson of Corrales, N.M., Tom (Kris) Hanson of Elm Grove, Wis., Richard (fiancee Sonja Peterson) Isaacson of St. Louis Park, Minn., Andrew Isaacson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Justin Isaacson of Duluth, Minn.; six great-grandchildren, Grace Hanson of Anchorage, Alaska; Connor, Natalie, and Bennett Hanson of Elm Grove, Wis.; Adam and Seth Hanson of Corrales, N.M.; and a sister, Lois (Richard) Van Bergen of Minnetonka, Minn.; many other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and parents.

The family wants to thank Northwest Wisconsin Home Care Hospice Services for the compassionate care and support provided to Jane, in particular caregivers Evalee Kunkel, RN and Pastor Steve Kaste.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Eric G. Nielsen officiating. Family and friends May call from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home. Family committal service will be in Forest Hill Cemetery prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Foundation-Richard E. and Jane M. Hibbard Scholarship, P.O. Box 4004, Eau Claire, Wis., 54702.

Friends May sign the guest book online at www.lenmarkfh.com