Jean Davis, 89

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 9, 2006

Jean Shirley Davis was born May 1, 1916, in Minneapolis, the sixth child of Charles and Amy (St. John) Barnes. While still an infant, the family moved to rural Ellsworth, Minn. She graduated from high school and attended Mankato Normal College until 1936, when she married Alfred H. Davis in Blue Earth.

For two years they lived in Albert Lea where two of their children, Judith and Paul Alfred were born. They then moved to Keister, where they managed the Gamble Store for two years before moving to St. Paul when Alfred worked for Northwest Airlines.

Jean and Alfred moved back to Albert Lea when Alfred was drafted during World War II. Jean bought their home at that time. Son Charles was born in 1948.

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Jean was honored as a long-standing member of First Presbyterian Church, taking leadership in her circle and as a Sunday School teacher and a deacon. Her greatest contribution was singing in the choir over 35 years, and in a women’s trio, sharing her talents with everyone.

Her 44 years as a DAR member were important to her. She held various offices locally and regionally and one at the state level. Other interests included bridge, reading, playing piano, and cooking.

Jean treasured her family, graciously sharing their many joys and sorrows through the years.

Because of her caring nature and wonderful sense of humor, the Davis home was always open for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred, &8220;Red,&8221; sons Paul Alfred and Charles, great-grandson Ian Davis Norgaard, brother Sydney, sisters Mildred Seidl, Dorothy Phelps, Winifred Arneson and Beth Sorenson.

She is survived by daughter Judith Barnes (Sidney) Brown, Austin, daughter-in-law Jeanette Davis, Cape Fair, Mo.; grandchildren Vickie (Brad) Berg, Red Wing, James (Helen) Davis, Queensland, Australia, Candi (Gary) Rogers, Goodman, Mo., Nancy (Larry) DeCoux, Hayfield, Minn., Sara (Keith) Sayles, Blooming Prairie, Beth Norgaard, Lake Crystal, Minn., Steven Brown, Mankato; great-grandchildren: Brian, Leah, and Alex Emerick, Phillip, Andrew, and Seth Sayles, Peter and Anne Norgaard, Sidney Brown, Karissa and Courtney Berg, Joshua and Kacey Davis, Aaron Hoeft, Nikole (Matt) Sanders; great-great-grandchildren: Brook and Makayla Hoeft, Aaron and Trenton Sanders, and Kayden Leary.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 11, at Bonnerup Funeral Service from 4 to 7 p.m.

The service at First Presbyterian Church will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, the Rev. Dwight Netzer officiating, with Interment at Graceland Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Jean would wish memorials be considered for the Freeborn County Historical Museum or First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea.