Jean E. Woodward

d. June 28, 2016

Jean E. (Helme) Woodward, 95 years old, passed away on June 28, 2016 at the Golden Living Center Whitewater in St. Charles, MN. Jean was born on October 30, 1920 in Iowa City, Iowa at the home of her maternal grandma to Wellington and Martha (Schump) Helme. Her father was an employee of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company and they had frequent moves and in the course of her growing up, Jean attended at least 13 different public schools. She graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis, MN. As a girl she enjoyed roller skates, playing “marbles and jacks” and skipping rope. Upon high school graduation she worked at a doctor’s office in Minneapolis as a medical secretary and for a while lived and worked in Portland, Oregon as secretary to the pastor at First United Methodist Church. Later, she became lead secretary at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis where she met her husband Mark Twain Woodward. They were married at Hennepin Church on June 11, 1955. They settled in Robbinsdale, MN where Mark worked as an educator and later became Principal of Robbinsdale Junior High School. Jean was a home-maker and was a very active member of Brunswick United Methodist Church, the UMC mission group, Order of Eastern Star, League of Women Voters, Robbinsdale Library Club and a variety of other civic groups. She enjoyed writing poems and short, devotional pieces. She was a devoted mother to her son, Mark Alan Woodward and a compassionate care-giver to her husband and mother prior to their deaths. In 2002, Jean moved to Eyota, MN to live near her son and grandchildren. In Eyota she was active in mission and ministry at Faith United Methodist Church where her son is pastor and was involved in various senior citizens groups. Jean is survived by her son, Rev. Mark A. (Rev. Deanna) Woodward of Eyota; two granddaughters, Laura (John) Riess and Amy (Wilson) Cahill of Eyota; two great- grandchildren, Daniel and Molly; one brother, Richard (Peggy) Helme of Minneapolis, MN; a brother-in-law, Robert Fernelius of Minneapolis and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1978 and her sister Lela. A celebration of Jean’s life and eternal life will be held at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be Friday, 5- 8 pm at Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Eyota and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A graveside committal service will be held at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis on July 5th. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Eyota Faith United Methodist Building Fund. Some of Jean’s last words were “Jesus is my Best Friend” The family is grateful for your prayerful support and kindness. Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 115 South Ave. Eyota, MN, 55934, 507-545-2020 S

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Jean E. Woodward

d. June 28, 2016

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