Jean G. Block

Jean Gabert Block, 60, passed away on November 12, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 11, 1965, in Chicago, IL, to Martin Gabert and the late Joanne Klupar Gabert.

On December 28, 1991, Jean married Kenneth Block at Immaculate Conception Church in Elmhurst, IL. They first met at Valley Forge National Park while working as park rangers, where they bonded over their shared love of nature and history.

Jean was a loving mother who dedicated herself to her children’s well-being, always putting their needs above her own. She homeschooled her children to ensure that they would receive as much individual attention as possible. Jean’s teaching extended well beyond a typical curriculum, as she also educated them in construction and animal husbandry skills she had taught herself. Her unending focus on her children left them well prepared for the future.

Jean had a strong desire to teach others. She had an extensive and impressive teaching career in Mathematics and Computer Technology, beginning at The Shipley School and the Marple Newtown School District, PA. Jean then became the Director of Technology at Kent School, CT. Later she chose to become an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Logic at Queen of Heaven Academy as a way to provide a broader curriculum for her children. Her enthusiasm while teaching made it easy for her students to love math just as much as she did.

Jean had a deep commitment to enriching her family’s many homes. Whether it was in Drexel Hill, PA; Kent, CT; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; Prairie Du Chien, WI; Omaha, NE; or Wausau, WI, she worked diligently to make her family as comfortable as possible. In Omaha, NE, Jean completely remodeled the entire house, which allowed for the eventual purchase of the family property that became known as Morning Star Meadows Family Farm.

Jean was passionate about returning to family roots and creating a family homestead from scratch. She chose to purchase a beautiful 71-acre plot in the town of Wausau in 2015 because of the thriving Catholic community at St. Mary’s Oratory. After moving in, the Wausau community warmly welcomed her and her family. The local farming and conservation community mentored Jean and helped her achieve her dream of a diverse, sustainable, rotationally grazed farm run by her family. Without the help of her many friends in the Wausau area, this dream would have been impossible.

Jean was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and a daily communicant. She took pride in her involvement as a Marian Catechist with the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI. Recently, Jean became a member of the Third Order Franciscans, which helped her feel closer to God near the end of her time on earth.

Jean is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth; her children, Andrew, Matthew, Sarah, James, Hannah, and Rachel; her father, Martin Gabert; her siblings, Julie (Christian) Bisson, Susan (Robert) Simkovic, David (Sherry) Gabert, and Sharon (Tom) Stewart. She will be further remembered by many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

The first visitation will be held at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, on Thursday, November 20, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, WI 54403.

The second visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Oratory on Friday, November 21, from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at 408 Seymour St., Wausau, WI 54403.

The Requiem Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Oratory at 11:00 a.m., following the second visitation.

The burial will be held at Restlawn Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m., 235962 North Troy Street, Wausau, WI 54403, following the Requiem Mass.

A luncheon gathering will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Oratory following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to St. Mary’s Oratory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com