Jean Walstrom

Funeral services for Jean Walstrom, age 94, of Verdigre, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2019, at United Methodist Church in Verdigre. Reverend Lynde Linde will officiate, with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Verdigre. Visitation will be Friday, March 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. time of sharing. Brockhaus Funeral Home in Verdigre is in charge of arrangements. Jean passed away peacefully Friday, March 1, 2019. Jean Carter, daughter of Cleve and Antoinette (Mikes) Carter, was born at West Bend, Iowa in 1925 and grew up at Graettinger, Iowa, where she graduated with honors in 1942. She attended Upper Northern Iowa University so she could become a teacher and was the only one who passed the 16-week course. Jean worked in her brother’s office and taught rural school following graduation. By carrying a double schedule in English and History, she graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science, January of 1946, Phi Alpha Mu, educational honorary. She worked hard to complete four years of college in 18 months. Jean was also employed in the college cafeteria to help meet expenses and took care of General "Ike" Eisenhower's dog at the KSU Veterinary Clinic where he boarded the dog when he was away conducting National duties. Jean married Veryl Walstrom in May of 1944. They were blessed with two children, Verlyn Cleve and Julie Carter. In May of 1946, Veryl established a veterinary practice in Verdigre, Nebraska. In addition to assisting her husband with his practice, Jean raised two children, helped with various community endeavors, and taught school in Verdigre as well as Wausa. She worked with Verdigre youth for over 45 years, first as MYF sponsor and later as secondary art teacher from 1967 to 1990. Her students’ art exhibits at the Knox County Fair were much renowned. In 1949, Jean helped establish the Federated Women’s Club of which she was first President and later inter-county District 3 President. One of their projects was developing the local library. Jean was appointed member of the first official library board in 1952. Jean also helped organize the first extension club in Verdigre and later served as President and county officer. Jean served as counselor at Purdue University's National Convocation and the Youth School of Missions at Nebraska Wesleyan University.  She also was a District WSCS officer and Delegate to the Jurisdictional Leadership Conference at Mt. Sequoyah, Arkansas. In Verdigre Jean contributed her skills as district lay leader, local lay leader, administrative board member, trustee, and youth director for the United Methodist Church. For several years, Jean was the speaker or reader at Memorial Day Services, many church services in Verdigre, district conventions, and local funerals. A lot of her effort went into writing appropriate material for the occasions. In 1979, the Senior Class invited her to be guest speaker for the 75th annual Verdigre High School graduation anniversary. Her theme was a tribute to taxpayers, parents, and board members who had maintained the school through hardships of depression, drought, flood, and war. There was dead silence as she closed and sat down, thinking it had not been well received. When the auditorium erupted in standing ovation, Jean “melted.” Jean received the student nominated Saylor Award in 1979, honoring her as Outstanding Nebraska Teacher. Jean is survived by her children, Cleve (Mony) Walstrom of Marysville, Kansas and Julie (Michael Mattison) Walstrom of Lincoln, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Woody, Wally (Amanda), and Wyconda Walstrom; and one great-grandchild, Thane Walstrom. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Veryl in 1997; brother, Robert Carter; and sister, Mary Jensen. Memorials may be directed to: Verdigre Public School Art Department, United Methodist Church in Verdigre, or donor choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Walstrom, please visit our flower store.