Jean Evelyn (Desjardins) Durand left her earthly home on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the Shell Lake Hospital. She passed away peacefully at the age of 89 surrounded by her loved ones.

Jean and her twin sister Joan were born December 17, 1932 at home in Shell Lake, WI to George and Irene (Johnson) DesJardins.

Jean grew up mainly in the Shell Lake/Spooner, WI area graduating from Spooner High School. Her marriage to Wilfred Durand was blessed with 3 children. Daniel (Debbie) Durand, Duane Durand and Deborah (Ronald) Huebner.

Jean was a very talented seamstress, knitter, enjoyed many kinds of crafts, gardening, baking delicious cakes, cookies, donuts, helping out with school activities any way she could. She was always busy with community events including the Spooner Hospital formal ball. She loved entertaining and especially celebrating Christmas.

Jean became a single mom in 1973 and went on to become an LPN in Superior, WI. She later moved to FL in 1979 to join her parents, her sister's family and many cousins. While in Fl, Jean went on to become an RN. She loved nursing and worked at the Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, FL hospitals later ending up providing home health care, which she loved.

In 1997 Jean was involved in a car accident that left her permanently brain injured. She survived that injury with great determination and grit. In 2020 Jean moved back to WI to be closer to her children living out her remaining years in her dream home on Shell Lake. She never lost her sense of humor, loved to be teased, and laughed till she cried.

Her last years were spent doing the things she loved-watching her kids and grand kids play at the lake, playing cribbage, scrabble, playing cards, watching TV and drinking coffee.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her twin sissy Joan Elizabeth Archer and brother-in-law David Archer.

She is survived by her her children; her nephews Jim (Marilyn) Archer, Mike (Nancy) Archer and niece Julie Ann Archer; Grandchildren Nichole (Jay) Meister, Rhona (Bobbie) Kemp, Lindsey Kemp; Mike (Christie) Durand, Kerrie (Aaron) Gamboni, Mallory (Brian) Delforge; Ben (Ashley) Slater, Rachel Slater, Shannon (Ryley) Blair, Wade Huebner and 25 Greatgrandchildren.

Jean will be cremated, and family are planning a Celebration of Life ceremony later this fall.

Last Update: Jul 22, 2022 6:04 am CDT