Obituary: Jean Allmaras

Jean Allmaras

New Rockford, N.D.

Jean Marie Allmaras, 94, of New Rockford, N.D. passed away on May 9, 2023 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.

Jean's visitation was Friday, May 12 from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 6:40 p.m. followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, N.D. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, N.D. Her burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, New Rockford, N.D. Officiating was Father Reese Weber with special music by Heather Klocke. Honorary bearers included all of Jean's grandchildren.

Jean was born on August 5, 1928, the daughter of Ferdinand and Mabel (Specht) Muscha in Harvey, N.D. She was the fourth of nine children, and helped to raise her five younger siblings and keep house at the tender age of ten when her mom passed away, all during the depression, eating many meals of potatoes and eggs. While helping to nurture her siblings, she also found time to play with them outside and loved climbing the boxelder trees on the farm.

Following graduation from high school in Harvey, she attended Minot State Teacher's College where she earned a degree in teaching. Jean taught country school near the Harvey home farmstead and later taught second grade in Fessenden. While in Fessenden she was set up on a blind date by her parish priest with a charming farm boy named Clem, who took her to the Easter dance at the church. They were married on October 30, 1954 and celebrated 62 years together.

Clem and Jean lived on the family farm west of New Rockford for 47 years, where they raised seven children. Jean served her community for years as a 4-H Club leader, Happy Homemakers Club member, and further served her religious community as a CCD teacher, sacristan and a member of the St. Jude's Circle of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bremen, N.D. In 2001, they moved to New Rockford. She served her Lord faithfully and lived a virtuous life.

Jean was a wonderful seamstress, cook, baker and was exceptionally gifted with her bread-making skills. Many blue ribbons were awarded to her at the Wells County and N.D. State Fairs for her breads, donuts and candies. She had a natural green thumb, becoming a master gardener. She loved tending her flower gardens and raised and canned vegetables to stock her pantry.

Jean and Clem square danced for many years with the Rockford Squares in area towns. They even coerced four of their children into square dancing with them. Jean had a playful sense of humor and liked a good funny, which saw her through the challenges of raising seven children and being the wife of a farmer.

Jean was always active and loved spending time outdoors riding bike, walking or just bird watching. She enjoyed attending family gatherings, especially the annual summer family vacation at Boot Lake in Minn. for the last 31 years. Their 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren were a special source of pride and joy, and they created many wonderful memories there.

Jean was a nurturing and loving mother who always put everyone else's needs first. Her greatest legacy was her family. She is survived by her children Rosanne (Dave) Schmidt of Bismarck, Ron (Martha) of Oklahoma City, Okla., Jerry (Julie) of Auburn, Wash., Monica (Bill) Waldschmidt of Crystal Lake, Ill., Kevin (Conni) of Carrington, N.D., Yvonne (Jeff) Solheim of Bemidji, Minn., and Brian (Annette) of Columbus, Ohio; her siblings, Sr. Elizabeth Rose Muscha of Valley City, N.D., Lois Martins of San Jose, Calif., Patty Sauter of Harvey, N.D., Betty Kiser of Fargo, N.D., Ken Muscha of Harvey, N.D., and Jerry Muscha of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clemence; grandson, Ross Allmaras; brothers, Myron Muscha and Robert Muscha.

Jean's family suggests memorials to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd or to St. John's Catholic Church in New Rockford.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, N.D.