Jean was born on October 6, 1929, in Beatrice, Nebraska to Orville and Desa (Wilkinson) Stevens. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1947 and met the love of her life, Marvin Larsen, at a First Christian Church hayrack ride. Marvin was the tractor driver and Jean was the one who got on the box and hooked up the wagon. Marvin and Jean were married on July 16, 1948.
She earned her teaching degree from Fairbury Junior College and her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Jean was an elementary teacher for Barneston, Diller, Wymore Southern, and Auburn Schools, retiring from Auburn in May 1992. She always enjoyed seeing former students over the years.
Jean took great satisfaction in her volunteer work with American Red Cross Blood Donor Program and preparing students on any age to take the GED test. She valued education and was truly a life-long learner. Jean was an avid reader and had many interests including cooking, golf, and duplicate bridge.
Jean passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. She is preceded in death by her brother Lynn Stevens, sister Joan and her husband Leonard Hedlund, sister-in-law Verna Larsen, and son-in-law Allen Schnitzer.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years Marvin Larsen; her children Diane McGee (Larry), and Alan Larsen (Jeani); her grandchildren Alex Schnitzer (Nicole), Brett Schnitzer (Melanie), Susan Sutton (Bob), Sarah Allen (Todd), Shane Larsen (Marcia), Trent Larsen (Jenn), Shawn Larsen, Jeremy Wagner (Christy), and Jennifer Wagner; her great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Kora, Callen, Alec and Brandon Schnitzer, Lilly, Brady, and Allie Schnitzer, Taylor and Marisa Sutton, Kortni Igel, Samantha Schneider (Zach), Rhett and Wyatt Larsen, Makaila, Nevi, Sophia and Milo Larsen, Jakob and Lukas Wagner, and James Haufle; her great-great-grandchildren Oakley and Thomas Schneider; her sisters-in-law Selma Stevens and Ruby Hardin (Roland); brothers-in-law Wayne Larsen and Ralph Larsen (Virginia).
A funeral service will be Friday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Auburn. Burial will follow in Sheridan West Cemetery near Auburn. Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The family has requested “no flowers” and suggests donations to First United Methodist Church.