She was born on January 25, 1930, in Nelson, Nebraska to Grover and Hattie (Whited) Bennett. Jean married Leo Knaus July 5, 1947, in Scottsbluff. She worked at DL Electronics, JC Penney, Wylie Optical and Dr Michael Green Optometry.
She enjoyed cooking, embroidering tea towels, puzzles, crocheting, crossword puzzles, playing Hand and Foot, Skip-Bo and she loved her western tv shows.
Jean is survived by her son and daughter-in-law John and Carolyn Knaus of Pegram, Tennessee and daughter and son-in-law Paula and Fred Mortensen of Mitchell, Nebraska. Grandchildren Cheli Knaus of Brick, NJ, Dawn (Miles) Lemley of Morrill, NE, Sierra Knaus of Ashland City, TN, Christi (Bill) Watson of Morrill, NE and Tiffany (Tray) Bouldin of LaVergne, TN. Great -grandchildren: Shawna Boucher (Chris Tereman) of Brick, NJ, Sabrina Watson of Morrill, NE, Dawson Jacobs of Morrill, NE, Jonathan Burrus of Nashville, TN, Bryan Ham (Lindsey Meisheid) of Chattanooga, TN, Meagan Watson (Wyatt Buckley) of Harrison, NE, Gabriel Burrus of Ashland City, TN, Ashlee Lemley of Scottsbluff, NE, and Kenzie (Christopher) Buskirk of Bayard, NE. Great-great-grandchildren Bralynn Lemley, Addy Dietre, Ila Buskirk and Emberley Lemley. Sister, Nadine Hancock of Richland, WA and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leo, parents, siblings: Raymond Bennett, Bob Bennett, Ruby Williams, and Burtis Krentz and great grandson, Hunter Lemley.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10:30 am at Sunset Memorial Park with Pastor Tim Hebbert officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 5, from 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be given to the Mitchell Fire Department, Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com.
