A bunch of us kids and grandkids wrote down a few of our favorite memories and thoughts as we pass the one year mark of Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma/Jean being gone from this earth. We wanted to share them with you and welcome you to share your own sentiments... ❤️

Dan:

Gardening, cooking, singing, traveling, living simply. There she was working, teaching, listening, encouraging, guiding patiently. Her legacy is now mine.

Kelly:

I have so many wonderful memories of Jean, so it is hard to pick just a few. When I think of Jean, my thoughts are of someone who was always fully present. She had this quiet, but consistent way of making every one who was with her feel like being with each and every one of them was her first and only priority.

I remember when Dan and I were dating that Jean and Chuck managed this small rental house property in Sauk Rapids. I think collecting the rent was an exhausting and a frustrating challenge and I remember Jean saying they needed to not have it any more because it was turning her in to someone she didn’t want to be. That stuck with me and I then understood that Jean taught me that we all have choices every day to be the person that we want to become.

Every day I think of Jean and I try to choose kindness and acceptance. Every day, I think of Jean and I try to choose a life well lived, a life full of integrity and being fully present. Every day, I think of Jean and choose to be the person who can be the gift to someone else in that moment of time when they need it the most.

Every day...

Connor:

One of my earlies memories with Grandma was when we were outside on their property on a cold and cloudy spring morning. We were planting hundreds of tree seedlings and it was my job to follow her around with a 5-gallon bucket of trees so she could plant them. I then gave each one a little bit of water from a watering can. I’m not completely sure, but I think this was one of my first experiences when I realized how important nature was to Grandma.

Fast forward several years to when I was in college. I took a biology class about the evolutionary history of animals and part of this class involved the identification of birds, reptiles, and mammals of Minnesota. Around Easter time that semester I saw Grandma and shared about my class. When I told her about our nature walks and bird identification her face lit up in a genuine smile. I was excited to share about the birds I had seen and new experiences I had outside. From that point on, whenever we talked, we would update each other the birds we had seen hanging out at our bird feeders. My experiences with Grandma helped me to become more observant and appreciative of what is around me.

Lastly, I’d like to share one of the saddest realizations I might ever have. I think others will be able to relate to this too. For about two years, Grandma and I played constant games of Words with Friends. This was always a fun thing to do because we both enjoyed playing and were evenly matched. Late one Friday night, I played her back, so it was her turn to play. On Saturday, she had a stroke. I didn’t realize it until midweek, but I understood that it might be the last game we would play. It was difficult to process. I often wish I had one more game or birding conversation with my grandma.

Liv:

One of my favorite memories with Jean was playing Words with Friends with her almost daily. I couldn’t quite match her advanced level of word knowledge from years of playing Scrabble, but I still enjoyed the friendly competition! Something that I appreciate about Jean was how genuinely welcoming she was to everyone. I attended the Stark summer vacation for the first time a few years ago and specifically remember how inviting and kind she was as she made sure that I felt comfortable. Although I only knew Jean for a few years, I truly treasure the time that I spent with her. She was a gift to each of us with her radiating positivity, compassion, and caring heart.

Kevin:

I would have to say that I don’t really have a favorite memory of grandma. She was always there to talk if I need something or just to talk, one time we got to talking for two hours just. The morning were also something that loved, when I would stay overnight and in the morning she would make pancakes and we would play cribbage.

Sandra:

Thanks, Mom!

• Thanks, mom, for making Saturday morning

pancakes and family suppers and passing on

those recipes and traditions.

• Thanks, mom, for sending us outside to play

and making us come in the house in the

afternoon for an hour (or two) of “Quiet Time”.

• Thanks, mom, for the quilt on our bed and for teaching me how to sew.

• Thanks, mom, for “encouraging” me to

complete my 4-H records on time and teaching me perseverance.

• Thanks, mom, for growing and nurturing our family; for keeping strong family ties, cousin connections and birthdays with grand/godparents.

• Thanks, mom, for not always “holding my hand” and teaching me to have confidence to stand on my own.

• Thanks, mom, for your words of wisdom before marriage: “Even though you may not love or agree with everything he does, you still love him.”

• Thanks, mom, for supporting our music; from violin and piano lessons, to marching band, choir practice, boys choir, drumline and all the concerts.

• Thanks, mom, for gardening, planting trees, growing flowers, picking strawberries, making applesauce, freezing corn and canning peaches.

• Thanks, mom, for playing games of Scrabble and Words with Friends.

• Thanks, mom, for our family girls weekends filled with laughter, games, nature walks,

exploring and silly FUN!

• Thanks, mom, for these reminders of you: birds, owls, brown-eyed Susan’s, raisin-filled

cookies, poppy seed bread, and overnight buns.

• Thanks, mom, for passing on true beauty by your quiet

strength, kindness, and unconditional love.

• Thanks, mom, for continuing to add to my collection of angels.

• Thanks, mom, for believing in me.

Dan Meer:

It has been hard not having Jean’s physical presence in our life this past year! However, the lasting memory of her unconditional love, kindness, positive outlook and acceptance of all, continues to be very fresh in my mind. I am amazed at how she maintained those traits through thick and thin, good and bad. As I continue to see her picture on the wall, see her framed pancake recipe, put on my favorite tie that she gave me years ago, or come across other reminders of her in my daily life, I pray it continues to refresh my outlook on life in a way Jean portrayed.

Elizabeth:

One thing that continually comes to my mind when I think of Grandma is how incredibly strong she was in every aspect of her life. How strong her patience was, especially in the most frustrating situations. How strong her selflessness was by putting everyone's needs before herself. How strong her perseverance was through every up and down. How strong her cooking was for every single meal. And most importantly, how strong her unconditionally love was for everyone and everything. Grandma was and still is the strongest person that I have and will ever know and I fully believe that every day, from up in heaven, she watches over me by embodying me with her undeniable strength.

  

Carla:

As I make bread for Thanksgiving today, almost a year to the date of Mom's passing, how can I not be inspired by her yet again? I honestly can't remember a time when mom was angry with me. I'm sure there were many times growing up when she was frustrated, overwhelmed, disappointed and certainly not approving of my behavior. But now as an adult, knowing all of those emotions are there, I never once remember feeling them or experiencing them directly. Unconditional love, a deep and spiritual soul, an ever-present appreciation of nature, an easy and always ready smile, a warm embrace, love of family and humble pride in all of our accomplishments and life experiences, countless overnight buns, breads and cookies; these are what rise to the top each and every time I think of mom. She is truly my quiet, constant, steady source of inspiration. I have the poem she left with us printed in my office and read it most days. Yes mom, “you are ALWAYS within!"

Emily:

Grandma could transform any ordinary meal into a delicious mouth-watering experience. She had the best story reading lap any child could ever dream of. She gave the kind of hugs where you felt like you could sink forever into the wonderful cuddly squish. She could happily and humbly beat any smarty-pants at Scrabble. Her openmindedness always continued to surprise and amaze me. She did all these things so well because she embodies love. Pure love.

Alex:

For me, grandma brings back intense memories of happy times when the whole Stark clan could get together. So many thanksgivings and seemingly endless Christmas Day present circles . And the cookies! SO MANY COOKIES... but mostly when I think of grandma I think of her quiet, reassuring presence - someone you could always turn to for a big squishy hug and a smile. I feel very fortunate to have known her

for as long as I did.

Rhiley:

Pancakes! Hahaha just kidding but not really. I'll always remember her pancake recipe and having pancakes on Sunday mornings. I miss her laugh the most and how it would make everyone else in the room smile. I appreciated her selflessness and how much she cared for others. Always doing it with a warm smile on her face. I'd love her to know how much I enjoy my new job and how cute my new puppy is:)

   

Quin:

Grandma was the best grandma that I had and will ever know. I will always miss how she was so sweet and kind to all of the new people that she met, and whenever I saw her she would come up to me and give me the warmest hugs. I'll also miss how sometimes when we had Christmas or thanksgiving at the farm I would help her make a pie or whatever she'd need me to make with her.

 

Wayne:

When Mom was at the St. Cloud Hospital and St. Benedicts Center after her stroke, I remember that she would straighten her placemat at most every meal even if she didn’t have much of an appetite. On my work desk I have Grandpa Ed’s blotter and every time I straighten it; I think of her. I miss her love of music, smile, hugs and laughter but I know that the view is magnificent where she is at. And that makes me miss her a bit less.

Julie:

I don’t think I need to share anything with her because I believe that she knows. I appreciate the calmness that she was in almost every situation. I also appreciate her openness and the vulnerability that she was willing to share with me. And I thank her for raising such great kids.

Grace:

I would thank her for teaching me how to sew and tie blankets. And I always thought that she would be the last to leave.

Lucille:

I miss her cooking and being with her. I wish she was here and that I could play another game of

Garbage with her.

Anita:

Hey, Mom! I know you’ve “been around” a lot this past year... a stack of fluffy pancakes, a feeder full of birds, a legit BLT, unruly tomato plants, floating in the lake, a wild game of Scrabble, a good, solid Sunday nap. You’re living on in those simple things but in the big things too... how I’ve treated others, how we’re raising our kids, how we decide to spend our time, and how I show love.

It’s amazing how you influenced so many lives during your short life. And collectively we are so, so much better for it. It makes me sad though that I can’t call you for recipe advice or text you a photo of the garden. And especially that you won’t see your beautiful grandkids (and great grandkids!) grow up and do all those same big and little things.

Thanks, Mom, for everything.

Brad:

I’ve spent more time the last year enjoying our garden and bird feeders than in years past. Those are two things that make me feel closer to Jean now they she’s gone. The woodpeckers have been all over our property and though we grow a good diversity of vegetables that I was so strongly encouraged to eat at dinners on the farm I’ll stick to the boring basics. I know she would have loved and enjoyed the season the Minnesota Twins had, instead of the rotten one they gave her in her last year with us. For me, I’ve laughed and cried over The 160 slices of Bongard’s American cheese package I’ve come across at parties, a birthday staples for a few years from a mother-in-law who knew it was my favorite!

Brynn:

I miss baking with grandma and making Christmas cookies with her. I miss her teaching me new things. I will always remember putting a bunch of random stickers on anything I could find with her.

Spencer:

We would go down to the stream and swim, and grandma would be floating in an old tire watching us. Whenever grandpa saw a stick he would yell gator and we would swim away.

Maria:

I have picked up the phone multiple times over the past year to call mom and ask her a question about a recipe or update her on the latest thing that’s happened in our lives. Those moments are difficult when I realize she won’t be on the other end.

Where I find comfort is in the moments that remind me of her. I talk about those moments out loud so Evelyn and Charlie will know pieces of her. Things like Saturday morning pancakes made from scratch, walks in the woods, or vibrant skies at dawn and dusk.

When a song bird sings it’s song or a woodpecker flies overhead. When phrases like “up ya come” or “oh, my goodness” slip out of my mouth. When the scrabble board comes out or someone screams “Yahtzee!”. When the warmth of summer seeps in the windows while the Twins’ announcer calls the game.

When Christmas cookies or Easter breads are baking. When Irises bloom and vegetable gardens grow. When we wrap ourselves in one of her quilts...

Mom taught me about kindness, strength, and humility. She encouraged me to find my passions. For that, I am forever grateful.

I love you mom and miss you every day.

Charlie:

“I think she had good recipes.

Cookie recipes! I remember playing cribbage with her.”

Evelyn:

“I remember eating popsicles and playing piano with grandma.”

🌸🌈❤️