Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Stanley and Marie St. Onge, Jean was one of four children, including a twin sister, Joan, who lived only one day. Jean cherished her memories of growing up with a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

After graduating from Pius XI High School, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Clothing and Textiles from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee. She and Jack met through mutual friends in 1965, were married in Milwaukee on November 26, 1966 and moved to New Brighton, MN. They became members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and raised their three children - Jill, Jennifer and Jeff.

Jean was a kind, generous and patient wife, mom and friend. Her neighborhood friends were her "tribe" and she and Jack created life-long memories with these families. Jean was very involved in her community and service activities including pre-school Sunday School teacher, Campfire Girls leader, elementary school volunteer and Girl Scout leader. As a family, they enjoyed skiing in the winter and camping in the summer.

In 1984, Jean began working with the Early Childhood Family Education program in the Mounds View School District. For 12 of these years, her focus was the Family Literacy Program. She loved teaching and playing with children and cherished the friendships she made while working in the District for 25 years.

Jean loved her family, especially her grandchildren, who all took turns being her "favorite.". She was a friend to everyone she met and cared deeply about helping others. Some of her favorite activities were sewing, gardening, jigsaw puzzles and traveling.

Jean and Jack enjoyed many trips, traveling to all 50 states, all ten Canadian provinces, and visiting all seven continents. Her favorite trips were to Antarctica, South Africa and the Holy Land. In her final years when she needed strength the most, Jean found solace in prayer, her children and grandchildren, and the deep friendships she had cultivated over the years. She proved time and time again that she was a strong French woman and she will be forever missed.

Jean is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Jack; children, Jill (Greg) Hilliard, Jennifer Ensley, Jeff; grandchildren, Lisa, Ben, Luke, Kirsten, Ryan, Kyle, and Kylee; brothers, John, Steve (Linda); and cousin, Kathy, who was like a sister to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Marie; infant twin sister, Joan; sister-in-law, Susan; and daughter-in-law, Jaime. Memorials preferred to family, to be donated to the Mounds View Public Schools Early Childhood Family Education Program.

Memorial Mass to be held Friday, March 8th, at 11AM with visitation one hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home

Updated by : Jack Isacson