Jean Mary Jirik

About Jean

Jean Mary Jirik, 89, of Blackduck, MN died peacefully Wednesday, January 19, 2022, after suffering a massive stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Bemidji, MN.

Jean Mary Jirik was born on March 25, 1932 in Union Hill, MN to Albert and Mary (Solheid) Weiers. Jean was the oldest of six siblings. She attended Union Hill Parochial School and then New Prague High School. Jean graduated from New Prague High School in 1950. Immediately following graduation, Jean moved to St. Paul, MN where she worked until her marriage to Francis (Fritz) Jirik on May 17, 1958. Fritz and Jean lived in New Prague, MN where they raised three daughters.

Jean was a Girl Scout Leader for seven years, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She worked as a cook for Saint Wenceslaus Parochial School, and worked as a cook at the New Prague Park Ballroom. Eventually, Jean worked as a secretary for H & W Equipment Company for thirty-four years, beginning in 1976 and retiring in 2010.

Some of the activities she enjoyed were singing, playing the piano, and playing golf with her husband and their good friends: Bob and Dell Bednar and Jack and Bev Richter. She baked amazing cookies, experimenting with all kinds of recipes; however, her specialties were chocolate chip and Christmas sugar cookies. As children and adults, her daughters often returned home to cookies fresh from the oven, and when friends and family came over, they were often treated to these magnificent creations as well. She even sent boxes of cookies to her grandchildren. Jean also loved to knit slippers and scarves for family and friends and in later years, wonderful, specially-made washcloths. Watching Hallmark movies (especially Christmas movies), doing word searches and playing solitaire were things she really loved.

After Fritz passed away in November of 1987, she led a quiet and unassuming life. In 1998, her dog, Corey, came into her life. She spent many hours walking him around town and always loved telling about how many people would pass her in their cars, asking about her dog, rather than inquiring about her! Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She loved her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, granddogs, and her great-grandchildren. She was always willing to help them anyway that she could. In the fall of 2019, Jean relocated to Good Samaritan Assisted Living in Blackduck, MN.

Jean is survived by her daughters Kim (Joe) Washa of Pine Island, MN, Kari (Phil) Slindee of Blackduck, MN and Karlajean (Jay) Becvar of Hinckley, MN. Jean has three grandchildren: Michael (Megan Luukkonen) Washa, Katie (Kevin) Manzke, Kristie (Dylan Brenner) Slindee. She also has two great-granddaughters Julianna Ross and Clara Washa and many grandpets.

Jean is survived by three sisters Carol (Bob) Rynda, Charlotte Edberg, and Irene Weiers, and two sisters-in-law, Barb Weiers and Joan Jirik. Jean also had many nieces and nephews, all who were were cherished by her: Dale, Mark, and Gary Weiers; Laurie Simon, Sue Weiers, Joan Lunde, Danny Weiers and Alan Weiers; Terry, Scott, and Chris Rynda; Michelle Dehnel and Brian Edberg; Duane Jirik and Deanna Riker.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband Fritz Jirik, her parents, an infant brother, her brothers Robert and Art Weiers; her brothers-in-law Jerry Edberg, Bob Moore, and Bill Jirik; sisters-in-law Shirley Weiers, and Dorothy Jirik-Moore, grandson Kevin Washa, and nephew Robert “Bob” Edberg.

memorial service

Mass of Christian Burial for Jean

February 19, 2022

St Wenceslaus Catholic Church 215 Main St E, New Prague, MN 56071, USA

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the mass at the church. Interment will be in Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague, MN.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home