Jean was born July 2, 1926, to Remi and Louise Kerkhove, in Sheridan, Wyoming. After the tragic death of her father, she was raised by her cousin, Mary (Albert) Codneys, near Billings, Montana. While training to become a registered nurse she met her future husband, Don Hetland, on a blind date. They married in 1949, and relocated to Seattle, Washington, where Jean worked at Swedish Hospital and Don finished college. They moved frequently for Don's government job while raising their family, and settled in Grand Junction, Colorado in the early-1960's.
Jean was a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital and several outpatient offices. She was an expert in fitting contact lenses and conducted seminars across the state.
She was dedicated to her family. She was an avid bridge player enjoying the game well into her eighties. Jean was an excellent golfer, winning many tournaments. She loved gardening, taking walks, and playing with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, especially with her children, and was a frequent and welcome visitor to their homes. Jean was a kind and generous mother, the type of mother who would watch your children, clean your house, and have dinner ready when you returned. She was always there for her family.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Don; her parents; sisters, Hilda (Dan) Nafts, and Irene (Don) Utter, and brother, Leo (Liz) Kerkhove. She is survived by children, Debbie (Dan) Guglielmo, Cindy Dearden, Shari (John) Cejka-Hollenbaugh, and Mike (Gay) Hetland; grandchildren, Bill (Nikki), Rob (Mona), and Emilie Guglielmo, Sean and Richard Dearden, Jessica (Jon Sullivan) and Chris (Ashleigh) Cejka; great-grandchildren, Lily and Dylan Guglielmo, Maddie and Logan Guglielmo, Jeremyah and Christian Dearden, April and Daphne Sullivan, Leland, Brynley, Camden, and Kennadee Cejka. Jean was much loved and will be greatly missed.
Jean's family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the caregivers with "All About Homecare, LLC." Jean was especially close to Cristina Ortega and Yolanda Perez who cared for our mother like their own and became a part of our family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Hetland family.
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