Jean Elizabeth Widmark

Jean Elizabeth Harrison Widmark was born in a farmhouse near Hornick, Iowa on May 24, 1925 to John Leslie and Elizabeth (Jongewaard) Harrison. She grew up in Hornick, graduated high school there and attended Wayne State College in Nebraska where she received her teaching degree.

While teaching in Moville, Iowa, she met Charles Widmark who had recently returned from Naval service in the South Pacific.  They were married on June 15, 1947.

Jean taught school in rural Iowa while Chuck attended Iowa State College in Ames. His degree in forestry and their love of the woods brought them to Brainerd where they lived the rest of their lives together. Jean was active in her church and serving her community. Chuck died in 2002 and Jean remained in Brainerd until moving to Detroit Lakes in October 2017.

 Jean taught school in Brainerd and Pillager and was an active and longtime member of the Congregational (UCC) church in Brainerd and, at her death, a member of the United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes. She believed in sharing hospitality and friendship with others. Jean and her husband were co-owners of Widmark- Harrison Tree Farms for 34 years. They also traveled the world together, enjoyed fishing, dancing, playing cribbage, bridge with friends and hosting foreign students in their home.

Survivors include two daughters, Marcia (Greg) Potvin of Detroit Lakes, Janet (John) Moore of Haines City, Florida, a son, Charles (Karen) Widmark of Brainerd, as well as her French daughter, Marie-Francoise (Bill) Paquette.

Jean received much joy from her grandchildren: Mark (Susan) Potvin, Anna Potvin, Jeanne (Tony) King, Scott (Ester) Moore, Brad (Katie) Moore, Ashley (Bridgette) Berning, Emma Widmark, Alice (Josh) Wethammer and her great grandchildren: Noah Potvin, Simon Potvin, Nora King, Greta King, Isaac King, Isabella Moore, Sophia Moore, Hobbes Moore, Everett Moore and Walter Berning.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents Les and Bess, her husband, Chuck and her brother, Roger Harrison.

A service of celebration will be held on Friday, August 12 at 1:00 at the United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes with visitation an hour prior, Reverend Kevin Gregory presiding. Burial will take place at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley.