Jean was born to Audry “Ace” & Jessie (Rich) Gaunt on December 22,1950 in Fairbury, Nebraska. Welcoming her home were three half-siblings, George, Gerry, and Georgia Mae Dikeman. The family moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas, in 1957, the same year her younger sister, Mira, was born. Jean attended Philipsburg schools until she graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1969. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University.
She met her husband, Byron, in 1970 through a mutual friend and they later married in 1974 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In the following years, their two daughters, Tiffany and Tiara, were born. They moved to Weld County, Colorado in 1979 to raise their family. For many years, Byron and Jean renovated and resold homes, something she loved. Jean was able to display her love for interior design by staging the homes. In her free time, Jean enjoyed canning her famous hot pickles, collecting antiques, sewing, crafting, fishing, traveling, and foremost, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Jean had a variety of jobs throughout her life including work for the VA in Cheyenne, State of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado, Weld County, and as a tax preparer. Her last work was as office assistant for Cowles Tax Service. As a life-long learner, she earned an AGS in Accounting/Business and later a Masters in Gerontology from UNC.
She is survived by her husband, Byron, two daughters, Tiffany (Chris) Gunnells of Greeley, and Tiara (Damien) Paris of Kansas City, Missouri, and three grandchildren, Conifer and Raleigh Gunnells, and Audry Paris. Her grandchildren were the absolute joy of her life!
She was preceded in death by her parents, her half-sister, Georgia Mae (Dikeman) Weir Cooper, and her sister Miralee (Gaunt) Dean.
Jean’s celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 3pm at Stoddard Funeral, 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to in Jean’s honor to the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute at https://www.unco.edu/nhs/cancer-rehabilitation-institute/donate.aspx
