Jean Avery

Jean Avery, 91, passed away on Thursday November 24, 2016 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa where she was visiting her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.


Jean was born on March 16, 1925 in Monroe, Wisconsin to Rollie and Mabel Wells and lived her early years in Browntown, Wisconsin along with brothers Wilbur and James and sisters Marvel and Ardith. After graduation from Monroe High School, Jean left for work in Rockford IL where she met and married her husband, James Avery, had a son Michael, and had a long and happy life in Rockford. After James passed, she moved to Edgerton Wisconsin to be closer to her sister and other family members.


Jean was an original “Rosy the Riveter”, building B17 airplane wings in Rockford before meeting James, Jean, Jim and Mike spent many happy days camping in Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and other places. The family cabin on Pine Island Lake in Minnesota was a favorite place to sit by a campfire and watch the sunset. After Mike moved to Connecticut, Jean enjoyed yearly visits where she was able to get fresh scallops (see picture). Recently, she greatly enjoyed the home Mike and Margaret moved to in Ames, especially, a south facing sun porch on sunny days.


Jean was preceded in death by her husband James and by brothers Wilbur and James and sister Marvel.


Jean is survived by her son and daughter-in law Michael and Margaret (Ames, IA), grandson Nathan (Ames, IA), sister Ardith Oldenburg (Edgerton, WI), and many nieces and nephews in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.


Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Tuesday Nov 29th at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home at 3910 North Rockton Ave in Rockford Il. A funeral mass and burial will be held at 10am Wednesday November 30th at St. Bernadettes church at 2400 Bell Ave in Rockford followed by a reception at the church.