OWENS
October 23, 2024, Jean (Jeanne) Marie Owens (nee Blaser) passed away peacefully at Corewell Blodgett Hospital after a short illness. Born on the family farm in Alton, November 16, 1926, to Lucy (Louisa) Roth and Albert Christian Blaser, her arrival prevented her father from going deer hunting. She was 3 weeks short of 98 years old.
Jeanne had been eager to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, Gerry, who passed in 2009. Her only child, daughter, Lynnette Bean, was at her side. Jeanne had lived in the Grand Rapids, Alton, Lowell areas and at Porter Hills/Cook Valley Estates in Grand Rapids for many years. She embraced the adventures related to living on a farm.
Adventure, in the form of travel, continued into her adult life. She traveled with Gerry often, including all Continents except Antarctica. Her curiosity never ended; she was always full of questions and delighted at learning something new. Jeanne was a loving, encouraging, inspiring mother, and wife - a wonderful role model. She shared a close relationship with her devoted daughter, Lynnette Bean, who will miss her deeply.
She loved people! She treasured and shared her love with so many she has left behind - a niece, Doris Smutz Fox of Columbus, Ohio, Roth, Riordan, and Otto cousins, Owens and Bean families and many dear friends. She made it a point to keep in touch and show people she cared for them. Jeanne and Gerry were founding members of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, after belonging to Eastminster Presbyterian Church for many years.
They made many, lifelong friends at both places. Burial will be at Alton Cemetery, along with Gerry and Blaser family members including her parents, infant brothers - three generations going back to the Swiss couple, Andreas Blaser and Marianne Lerch, who came to Alton from Switzerland about 1882. Jeanne’s mother’s family was also Swiss, with her mother born there. Her maternal grandparents were Albert Roth and Marie Engel. They immigrated in 1890 to Lowell. She was proud of her Swiss roots. All were from Canton Bern. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. Contributions can be made to the Salvation Army Santa Claus Girls, Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, or the charity of your choice.
