Melva "Jean" Hein

Jean was very hardworking all of her life and next to her family, enjoyed gardening, housekeeping, and antiquing.

Through the years she purchased and sold a very large number of fine China sets. She hand-washed each piece after they came in and before they went out. When asked if she ever got tired of washing dishes she said no. She enjoyed it because it reminded her of her childhood and the many dishes she and her sisters had washed. It wasn’t the work or the dishes she liked, rather it was the friendship and loving closeness that they shared that made the hard labor so enjoyable, even in the absence of her sisters so many years later.

She did get along well with other people too. Some people mistakenly thought she was quiet and shy, but she was not. She had an amazing memory and a lifetime of stories to tell. Each of her children had their own stories and every story highlighted one of the unique qualities she loved in that child.

She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She was wonderful because she loved and cared for those around her. She will be missed.

Jean is survived by her sons, Richard Hein of Altoona, Iowa, Donald (Dovie) Hein of Ottawa, Kansas, Roger (Nancy) Hein of Gretna, Nebraska, and Ronald (Ineabelle) Hein of Altoona, Iowa; daughter, Sharon (Joe) Murray of Firth, Nebraska; sisters, Lucille, Francis, and Rebecca; brother, Leon; grandchildren, Sarah, Megan, Ryan, Joseph, Alicia, and Jonathan; great-grandchildren, Graham, Nora, and Garrett; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association in loving memory of Jean.