Obituary of Jean E. Irwin

Jean E. Irwin, age 72, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at House of the Dove in Marshfield following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jean was born September 30, 1945 in Pittsville, Wisconsin to Almer and Ella (Burt) Bolster.  She married Dean Irwin on April 23, 1966 in Pittsville, and they just celebrated their 51st year together.

Jean worked for Safe-Way Bus Transit for 31 years, and was happy to have worked for three generations of the Jevnick family.  She began as a school bus driver, worked her way up to a driver trainer, and eventually became the safety coordinator.  She was very proud of her efforts in starting the third-party testing program for commercial drivers licensing, and received an award from the state for her excellence and professionalism.

Jean had a way of connecting with people wherever she went and made friends easily.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren, watching their music and sporting activities, gathering with friends and playing cards, and sitting on her deck listening to the sounds of nature.  She was an avid bowler, on a league with mostly the same teammates for 25 years.  She enjoyed hunting deer, playing softball and volleyball, coaching youth sports teams, and just being in the outdoors, not to mention her LOVE of Badger football and basketball, and the Packers.

Jean’s church family was very important to her. She was a very active member of the Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church for  50 years, in many capacities, including singing in the Choir, playing in the Trombone Choir, and 23 years in her Bible Study Group (DOTS-Daughters of the Shepherd).

Jean is survived by her husband, Dean; two children: Denise (Pat) Linstedt, Appleton, WI, and Lee (Danika) Irwin, New Albany, IN; six grandchildren: Kayley and Jacob Irwin, LaCrosse, WI, Soren and Thatcher Linstedt, Appleton, WI, and Sierra Graham and Daniel Irwin, New Albany, IN; two sisters: Dorla (Bob) Hinrichsen, Spencer, WI, and Delores Randall, Pittsville, WI; and many loving nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Edwin Bolster, sister, Fern Krohn, and her half-brother and half-sisters: Earl, Faye and Kathleen Bolster.

Jean would like to thank Dr. Isaac Yeboah and the many many other doctors, nurses, aids, assistants, and technicians at the Marshfield Clinic that have helped along the way.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church.  Rev. Mary Lou Plummer will officiate.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Friday, November 24 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.  Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.