MARQUETTE, MI – Olive Regina “Jean” Werner, age 80, of Marquette, walked on into eternal life Saturday, August 22, 2020, at home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and UP Home Health and Hospice.
Born June 26, 1940, in Oneida, Wisconsin, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Young) Jackson, Jean was raised in Milwaukee. She left school before graduating, utilizing her time babysitting, caring for children, and working for a clothing manufacturer in Milwaukee.
It was in Milwaukee that she met Marquette native, Karl Werner, introduced through a total stranger at a Greek restaurant. The couple married on August 2, 1958, together making their first home in Milwaukee where they began raising a family. In 1966, the family moved to Marquette where Jean preferred a safer and slower pace and Karl returned to his roots. At first, the family lived with Karl’s mother while building their own home next door. Jean was employed at a variety of jobs including waitressing at the Northland Hotel and doing housekeeping and child care for several local families.
Jean returned to the classroom through the Adult Education Program and completed her requirements for graduation in 1976, at Marquette Senior High School, delivering the valedictorian address.
Throughout the years, she served her community in numerous capacities. Being of Potawatomi-Ojibwa Indian heritage, she worked with the Marquette Public Schools in promoting Native American identity among native students, teaching customs, making sure the students were going to school regularly, and finishing their education. She always loved working with children and for years taught Sunday School and enjoyed the outings, ice skating, picnics, home visitations, and leading people to the Lord.
Jean was an avid Red Wings fan and would often don her Wings hat while enthusiastically cheering them on. She enjoyed collecting recipes and cookbooks, keeping busy, and looking for opportunities to be of service. Westerns, especially Gunsmoke, working puzzles, and a love of animals, especially golden retrievers, were other leisure-time pursuits.
Jean is survived by her husband of 62 years, Karl; her children, Karl Werner, Jr, and Clarissa Lancour both of Marquette; grandchildren, Sierra (fiancée, Alex Morse) Lancour and Jeremy (fiancée, Kelsey Fulsher) Lancour; great-granddaughter, Payton Morse; sister-in-law, JoAnn Jackson of Cudahy, WI; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret (the late Verlin) Dohm; and brothers, Joseph (the late Grace) Jackson, Thomas Jackson, Richard Jackson, and Lawrence Jackson.
A Celebration of Life, honoring Jean, will be held at First Baptist Church, Marquette, on Friday, September 11, 2020, at 3:30 pm. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 3:00 pm until the time of service. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.
- Courtesy of Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services