Jean Elizabeth Van Gorden, age 89, of Blair, died on Thursday, January 8, 2015 in the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Jean was born on November 4,1925 in Blair to Milton and Merle (Gibson) Frederixon. Jean graduated from the Blair High School and married Dean Van Gorden in 1944 in Waco, TX. Together they raised four children.

Jean was passionate about gathering family and friends, often with wonderful meals that she loved to prepare and serve. She had a great love of the outdoors and was an avid birdwatcher. Jean was a dedicated and knowledgeable Wisconsin sports fan, which included the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badger football and basketball. She had an extraordinary memory for details and loved to relate her many stories.

Aside from raising four children, Jean had a long career in the workplace. She began her career as a waitress at Spud's Supper Club in Black River Falls in 1958 and after many moves, she retired in 1989 as secretary/treasurer of the Carnegie Foundation in Princeton, NJ. After retirement, Jean lived in Fort Meyers, FL and Hatfield, WI before moving back to Blair where she has many friends and family.

Jean is survived by her children, Kay (Robert) Whitesel of Mazeppa, MN, David (Paula) Van Gorden of Hatfield, Scott (Carol) Van Gorden of Black River Falls and Reed (Sondy Pope) Van Gorden of Madison; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchidren, six great-great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Viola Frederixon of Blair.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy (Howard) Rogness of Stillwater, MN and a brother, James Frederixon of Blair.

A celebration of life will be held in Jean's honor on Saturday, August 8, 2015 in the Blair Riverside Memorial Park in Blair.

Jean's family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and entire staff at the Grand View Care Center for the excellent care to Mom.