Jean Elizabeth Lynch

Jean Elizabeth (Keefe) Lynch, 84, died on on March 30, 2014.

Jean was born in Rochester on October 17, 1927 the fourth child to Edward and Mary (Healy) Keefe. She was raised on her family’s farm east of Chatfield and educated at Chatfield High School. She graduated with a degree in elementary education from Winona State Teachers College. Following graduation, Jean taught elementary school in Blooming Prairie and Glencoe.

Jean and Patrick Lynch were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chatfield on June 20, 1953. They raised their five children in Chatfield, where Pat was in the grocery business with his father. In the 1970’s she returned to full time teaching as a reading specialist in the Rochester Public Schools. Jean and Pat loved entertaining, traveling, and card games. Following Pat’s death in 1988, Jean moved to Rochester. After her retirement, Jean volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Jean is loved and will be remembered by her children: Susan Vento of Maplewood; Chuck (Lynnae) of Stillwater; Ann (Darren) Ruschy of Edina; Bill (Denise) of Charlotte,North Carolina; and Ed (Gretchen) of Eden Prairie. Ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.

Jean is also survived by her siblings: Rosemary Kubicek, of Minneapolis; Norbert (Mary) Keefe of Chatfield; Helen Texido of Atherton, California; Patrick (Gretchen) Keefe of Dover; Kathryn (Frank) Kennedy of Mission Viejo, California, John (Florence) Keefe of Dallas, Texas; Pat’s Sisters: Doretta Story of Little Falls, and Mary Hornak of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Pat, son-in-law Bruce Vento, and sister Phyllis Tracy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday April 5, 2014 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chatfield.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2014 . Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Chatfield. Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to services also at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 405 Bench St. SW, Chatfield, MN 55923, or Alzheimer's Association/Minnesota,7900 W 78th St #100, Minneapolis, MN 55439.