Jean Ann Gander

WAUKON – Jean A. Gander, 94, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, IA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 6th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services Tuesday at the church where there will be an 8:30 rosary service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Patrick School in Jean’s memory.

Jean Ann Gander was born April 17, 1931, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Thomas and Florence (Fahey) O’Malley. Jean was baptized into the Catholic faith. Her Catholic faith remained an important part of her life. She attended St Patrick’s school in Waukon, graduating in 1949. Jean was the last surviving member of her graduating class.

On June 29, 1949, she married the love of her life Earl Joseph Gander of Lansing, IA. In 1951 they started farming near Lansing. In 1955 they moved to a farm in Hanover township of Allamakee County until purchasing and moving to a farm near Frankville, IA. In 1987 they retired and moved to Waukon.

Jean was very active. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jean and Earl enjoyed fishing, playing cards and traveling. She was known for cooking great meals for family, relatives, and friends. Jean enjoyed playing cards, dancing, golf, and bowling and always enjoyed a good laugh. After Earl passed in 2005, she married Gilbert Kurth. When Jean married Gilbert, she gained another loving family with the Kurth family. Gilbert passed in 2019.

After Gilbert’s passing, Jean was warmly welcomed into Pam and Gary Shawver’s home during the Covid era, prior to her moving into Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, IA. Jean very much appreciated the loving and personal care she received at Maple Crest Manor where she was known as “Grandma Jean”. Jean was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon.

She is survived by her and Earl’s seven children and their spouses: Stephen (Peggy) Gander of Rockwall, TX, Thomas (Bernadine) Gander of Ossian, IA, Pamela (Gary) Shawver of Wadena, IA, Bonnie (Don) Cunningham of Waukon, IA, Theresa (Jeff) Magner of Omaha, NE, Karen (Steve) Mashek of New Hampton, IA, and Eugene (Joey) Gander of Bloomingdale, IL; 11 grandchildren: Sarah (Mike) Baker of Nixa MO, Gary (Marsha) Gander of Fairfax IA, Jill (Clint) Kleinow of Overland Park, KS, Jessica Gander of Ossian IA, Wade Anderson of Chicago, IL, Tara Anderson of Waterloo, IA, Shawn (Jordan) Cunningham of Waukon IA, LeAnne (Dan) Jones of Waterville IA, Tess (Max) Kuenstling of Bellevue NE, Haley (Brian) Thompson of St. Charles IL, and Shane Gander of Colorado Springs CO; and 18 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law Frank and Kathyrn Gander; husbands Earl and Gilbert; one granddaughter Donelle Cunningham; two sisters: Helen Byrnes and Bonnie Dougherty; and brother Leo O’Malley.

Honorary casketbearers are Jean’s grandchildren and the staff at Maple Crest Manor. Casketbearers are Jeans children: Steve, Tom, Pam, Bonnie, Theresa, Karen, and Eugene.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.