Jean M. Bear

Jean M. Bear, 90 ,of Freeport, passed away on Saturday July 27, 2013 at Hawthorne Inn at Liberty Village. Jean was born on April 15, 1923 in Freeport, the daughter of Lester and Margaret (Brown) Hanna. Jean graduated from Freeport High School with the class of 1941. She married William R. Bear on June 10, 1944 at St. Mary'™s Church in Freeport; he died on February 4, 2002 in Freeport. Jean was a homemaker until her three children were in school. Later she worked as a receptionist for Dr. F.X. Graff and Dr. Samuel Bess, as a secretary at Bankers Mutual Life Insurance and the William, R. Bear Agency before retiring in 1981. Jean loved the years she and Bill spent wintering in Florida and the summers at their lake home in Lake Mills, WI. She enjoyed walking and searching for shells on the Florida beaches, visiting the woods and lakes of Ely, MN, playing shuffleboard, cards, bingo, and dominos with family and friends. Jean dearly loved all her family and the special occasion gatherings with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The most recent was her 90th birthday celebration. Jean was very proud of her family. Her parents and husband preceded her in death. Surviving are: two sons James (Stephanie) Bear of Sanibel, FL, and William (Denise) Bear of Venice, FL; her daughter Patricia (Daniel) Humay of Ely, MN; six grandchildren: Kristine Munson, Jennifer Bond, Jeffrey J. Bear, Brittany (Jason) Anderson, Jason W. Bear, and Jeffrey W. Bear; four great-grandchildren: Ethan Bond, Georgia Kate Bond, Elliot Bond, and Mason Anderson; also a great-grandson on the way; And her sister-in-law Jean (Bill) Fiedler. A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday July 30, 2013 with Rev. Kenneth Anderson, pastor officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Ferguson Cancer Center. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.