Obit: Bjornson, Jean Marie (1931 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bjornson, Hill, Reetz, Weispfening

----Source: The Plombon Funeral Home (Stanley, WI) 3/30/2018

Bjornson, Jean Marie (10 JUL 1931 - 26 MAR 2018)

Jean Marie Bjornson was born to Edward and Joyce Bjornson in Chippewa Falls, WI on July 10, 1931. She passed away at age 86 on March 26, 2018 in Elk River, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on April 2, 2018 at Holy Family Church, 226 East Third Avenue, Stanley, WI.

Interment will take place at Oakland Cemetery, Stanley, WI, immediately following funeral services and gathering of friends and relatives.

An avid reader and traveler her whole life, Jean brought her love of books, new experiences and new friends to hundreds of students during her 40+ year career as an educator. Jean graduated from Stanley, WI High School in 1949. She received her Bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State College in River Falls, and began her teaching career with first graders in Oconomowoc, WI.

After several years in the classroom, Jean decided to take a year off and get her Master's degree in Remedial Education from UW Milwaukee. She returned to teaching elementary school students in the Milwaukee area. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recognized
her 38 years of service in 1993.

Combining her love of travel with educating, during the 1960s Jean taught the children of Air Force members in Japan, Germany, Newfoundland and England. She also taught English to local high school and college students in Japan. During vacations, Jean and her fellow teachers toured nearby countries, visiting many nations in Northern Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

After her international adventures, Jean returned to the US and taught in Monterey, CA for one year. She moved back to Milwaukee and worked there for the remainder of her career.

Jean retired from teaching in 1993. Never one to just sit around, she took full advantage of the many Community Ed classes offered in her area, and also enrolled in classes at the local University. She loved Tai Chi, golfing, line dancing, bowling, exercise class, travelogues, and lunching with her many, many friends. She spent many holidays and vacations with her Aunt Sue (Leona) Reetz at Sue and Jerry's home near Green Bay. With Carol, her friend of over 40 years, she traveled all over the world and most of Wisconsin.

Diagnosed with dementia in 2016, Jean continued to stay engaged, playing bells, bingo and making new friends as long as she was able. She had a very active mind and loved both physical and mental activities.

Jean is survived by her sister, Janice Weispfening and nephews Mark (Debbra) and Eric (Paula) Weispfening, greats Brady, Bryan, Kelli, Katie, Mike, Samantha (Jeremy), Ailie (Christian) and Jamon (Laura) and great-greats Alivia, Terry, Carys, Samuel and Calder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Donald Weispfening and niece Theresa Hill.

Plombon Funeral service in Stanley assisted the family with arrangements.