Jean Williamson

Jean Mary Williamson , 67, passed away peacefully at her home of recent years, Wisconsin Dells Health Services, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin on January 9, 2019. Born July 26, 1951, the daughter of John Albert Williamson and Fae Norine (Campion) Williamson, Jean was raised on the family farm in rural Montello.

A 1969 graduate of Montello High School, Jean Mary took her first job as a teen working at the MacDonald’s Drive-In, Endeavor, Wisconsin. From that point on, she worked in a wide variety of occupations including employment at her sister Juanita McDowell’s business, The Colonial Book Shoppe in Portage, WI; as an interior decorator at JCPenney’s in East Towne Mall, Madison, WI; as an interior designer at Mautz Paint Company, Madison, WI; in culinary services at Marc’s Big Boy in Madison, WI; as a Pharmacy technician at Shopko, Madison, WI; and most recently in customer service/sales at Walmart on Nakoosa Trail in Madison, WI.

Besides her work life, Jean participated in many other interests and volunteer activities. She had a lifelong love of music. She sang a lovely alto harmony and was very involved in choir and playing clarinet during her younger years and continued to actively participate in her adult years as part of the choir at Buckeye Evangelical Free/Door Creek Church in Madison. She loved Gospel music and attended as many concerts as she could - including many Southern Gospel Quartet conventions in Nashville; personally helped host southern gospel groups in her family home (including the Oak Ridge Boys before they went secular); and continued to listen to her favorite gospel singers, Guy Penrod and David Phelps, until her last moments.

Jean Mary had a heart for children and the less fortunate. Besides playing an active role in the lives of her nieces and nephews, she reached out as a volunteer working with children in her local area. Jean worked for many years as an Awana leader at Buckeye Evangelical Free Church in Madison and also participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County. She also volunteered as a phone counselor for Briarpatch, serving at-risk youth and their families in the Madison area.

Jean was also known as an avid Civil War history buff. Her interest in this period of history led to many discoveries of memorabilia and writings detailing her family heritage and their involvement in the Civil War. In fact, one of her last major outings before being limited by failing health was celebrating her 62 ^nd birthday by exploring the grounds of the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.

On the home front, Jean was known for her amazing apple pies and knitting projects. Many close friends and relatives were blessed by her beautifully knitted afghans and her baking skills. Although she faced many challenges and disappointments in life, she never gave up her faith in Christ and continued to share her love for the Lord with those around her until the end. Her favorite Scripture passages were Psalms 32 and Psalms 27. Because of God’s spirit living in her, others could see Jesus.

Jean Mary lived a full life as a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend and will be remembered for her loving spirit and continual desire to live a life devoted to Christ. She is survived by her mother, Fae Williamson of Montello; one sibling, Trudy Grinnell of Madison; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her father, John Williamson; her brother, Duane Williamson; her sister, Juanita McDowell; and brother-in-law, Wayne Grinnell.

A special thank you to the Wisconsin Dells Health Services and Agrace Hospice for their extra special care and the compassion they showed was very comforting.

Visitation and funeral services for Jean will be held on Wednesday, January 16 ^th at Buffalo Community Bible Church, W4090 14 ^th Road, Montello, with Pastor Mark Hunter of Dells Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Underhill Cemetery, Town of Packwaukee. Following burial will be a time of refreshments for friends and family back in the basement fellowship hall at Buffalo Community Bible Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the family for several local memorials that will be established in Jean’s name.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com