Jean Audrey Briggs, age 88, formerly of Whitehall, passed away peacefully at Dove Orchard Hills Assisted Living in Eau Claire on Thursday, February 1, 2024 after a brief illness.

Jean was born on August 24, 1935 in rural Blair to Basil and Eunice (Sampson) Nyen.  She grew up on a farm in rural Blair and graduated from the Blair High School in 1953.  Jean married Wesley D. Briggs on February 25, 1956 in Blair.  They were married 38 years and had two daughters, Julie and Kathy. Wesley preceded Jean in death on April 7, 1994.

Jean was employed at the John O. Melby & Co. Bank in Whitehall for 31 years, retiring in 1997.  She was an active member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, serving as treasurer, leading the funeral committee and participating in the quilting group.  Jean was also a volunteer at the Tri-County Memorial Hospital gift shop for several years.

Jean enjoyed traveling in early retirement, taking trips to Ireland, Florida and California.  She loved the "traditional" shopping trips with her daughters and granddaughter, which brought lots of laughs and memories.  Jean made many trips driving her Buick to Eau Claire and River Falls for family visits and events.  Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed flower gardening.  She loved being in the kitchen cooking, baking and trying new recipes for her family.  Jean always took time for a good cup of hot coffee.

Jean was well known in Whitehall for walking her "little buddy" Winston.  She moved to Eau Claire with Winston in 2019 to be closer to family.  He was her best friend for 15 years.  Her love for dogs grew with each passing year.

We will remember her as a strong and independent woman who was a loving and devoted  mother and grandmother.  She will forever be in our hearts.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Julie (Tom) Bauer of Eau Claire and Kathy (Bruce) Berg of River Falls; six grandchildren, Matt (Jeanie) Bauer of Chippewa Falls, Joe Bauer of San Diego, CA, Jacob (Madi Barnet) Bauer of Madison, Adam (Kelsie) Berg of River Falls, Ethan (Ginny) Berg of New Hope, MN and Abbey (Paul) Van Rooy of Durham, NC; six great-grandchildren, Emery and Finley Bauer, Rodney, Leroy and Lydia Berg and Kora Berg; two brothers, Sherman (Ginny) Nyen of Holmen and Darrel (Laurie) Nyen of Mauston; a sister, Cynthia (Charlie) Branch of Rochester, MN; a brother-in-law, Tom (Nancy) Briggs of Frankfort, KY; two sisters-in-law,  Beverly (Duane) Briggs of Eau Claire and Dee (Billy) Briggs of Livonia, MI along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by her oldest brother, Wayne Nyen; a sister-in-law, Lillian Nyen; three brothers-in-law, Duane "Sam", Robert "Cubby" and Billy "Buck" Briggs and her father and mother-in-law, Almon and Luella (Elland) Briggs.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall.  Mr. Scott Brown will officiate.  Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Cemetery in rural Taylor.

Jean's family wish to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Orchard Hills Assisted Living for their loving care and kindness and St. Croix Hospice for the support of Jean and family in her final journey.