Jean Ballsrud

Thursday, March 9, 2017

MONTICELLO, Ill. -- Jean Geske Ballsrud, who died Monday, March 6, 2017, was born in Matthews, Mo., on March 27, 1948, to her loving parents, Dale and Jean Geske. She grew up on a farm, spending most of her days running barefoot, climbing trees and getting into mischief with her younger brother, Michael (Jami) Geske. She was active in 4-H, took many piano lessons and was a fashion trendsetter at her school.

The summer of her freshman year at Eastern Illinois University, she met the love of her life and best friend, Jim Ballsrud at the campus Lutheran church. They couldn't wait to begin their lives together and married shortly after graduation on June 6, 1970. With marriage, she acquired a loud, bustling dinner table with her new brothers- and sisters-in-law: Beth (Kirk) Wolff, Bob (Wendy) Ballsrud, Patti (Tom) Rymarz, and Dave (Kris) Ballsrud.

Jean spent her life devoting herself to loving and raising three children: Bob (Jennifer) Ballsrud, Kathy (Brian) Sowinski, and Karin (Alan) Alvarez. Family was the most important thing in the world to her and she spent her days making home-cooked meals for her family, quilting, and gardening. She showed her son how to also be a trendsetter and taught her daughters how to make a perfect pie and sewed them each one-of-a-kind prom dresses. She loved to travel, visiting nearly every state in her lifetime. Every summer she loved the challenge of planning long road trips for her family to destinations like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Myrtle Beach. She was famous for her homemade apple pie, her shopping talents and her gift of gab.

When her children were grown, her grandchildren became the new light of her life. She delighted in spending time with Cora Sowinski, Cole Sowinski and Mara Alvarez, and was anxiously anticipating the birth of a new baby, Alvarez.

Jean's Christian faith was strong. She shared it with her family and close friends, and exemplified it in all she did. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church of Monticello and P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization.

A visitation will be held Friday, March 10, 2017 at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello from 5-7 p.m.

A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.


Memorials can be made in Jean's name to Faith Lutheran Church of Monticello.

Paid obituary