Jean Schutz Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jean Schutz, 101, passed away January 28, 2021, at her home in Benkelman, Nebraska. Jean was born October 2, 1919, at Orleans, Nebraska to Roy and Jessie (Hubbell) Pearson. Jean graduated from Mascot High School and then went to work in Lincoln for several years before being introduced to her soon-to-be husband Norman by his cousin Calvin. They met while he was home on leave from the army, dated for a week, corresponded for six months until he came home on his next leave and married on March 8, 1944, in Phillipsburg, KS. The couple made homes in several Nebraska towns and settled down in Benkelman in 1973, where they lived the rest of their lives. Jean’s interests included fishing, hunting, and camping; she and Norman spent many years as campground hosts in Nebraska and Texas. Her hobbies included baking, sewing and crafts. She was well-known for her chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter balls. Almost every member of her family is the recipient of a beloved denim quilt made from family members' worn out blue jeans and pieced with love. Even this past November she sewed up 32 placemats! For Jean, everything revolved around her family to whom she was so devoted. She was always up for any card game and certainly won more than most. And never an evening went by without a glass of her favorite wine. When she asked any of her doctors about whether she should be drinking wine, they agreed that she should continue her habit - and who would argue with a 100+ year old woman about what is or isn't healthy. Jean is survived by her children, Kathy Aerni and her husband Mel of Madrid, Jan Illian and her husband Doug of Denver, Tom Schutz of Benkelman, Becky Shultz of Oklahoma City; 7 grandchildren: Patrick Aerni, Ryan Aerni, Lori Samson, Jennifer Miller, Amanda Wilhelm, Jake Schutz and Jordan Illian; 17 great-grandchildren: Coy and Matthew Aerni; Alexandra, Connor and Shayla Aerni; Alison, Cameron, Madison, Jameson, Braydon and Emerson Samson; Thomas Wilhelm; Theodore Peplinski; Nickolas, Lucas and Soren Schutz; and Madison Miller; siblings Dean Pearson of Kearney, Janis Ledbetter of Beaver City, Jim Pearson of Las Vegas, and sister-in-law Ann Pearson of Los Angeles; her very special "son" Stan; her son David's partner Gina Schoenecker and her great big family, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband Norman, son David and David's wife Patsy. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jean's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

Jean Schutz

October 2, 1919 - January 28, 2021

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