Jean Marie Koecher, 86, of Kerrick, formerly of Duluth, passed away Monday, October 12, 2015 in Viewcrest Health Care, Duluth. She was born January 18, 1929 in Duluth to Fred and Mary (Kohler) Fralich. She was raised in Barnum and graduated from Barnum High School in 1947. Jean was united in marriage to Everette Koecher on October 28, 1950 in Barnum. They farmed on the Koecher family homestead for many years. Prior to her marriage, Jean had worked at the Barnum Hotel, Barnum Creamery and Marshall Wells in Duluth. After all of her children were in school, Jean worked for several years at the Kerrick State Bank, once being locked in the vault during an armed robbery. She retired from the Moose Lake State Hospital in January of 1994. Jean was a current member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bruno and a former member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Moose Lake. She was a member of the church ladies aid and taught Sunday School for many years. She served as Treasurer on the Kerrick Township Board. Jean loved to bake. She often brought treats to her co-workers or walked fresh bread to her neighbors. She knitted many pairs of mittens and wool socks for those she knew. Jean gardened and loved picking berries and preserving them. She prepared lutefisk each Christmas for the Koecher families. Jean enjoyed traveling with Everette as they took many trips over the years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everette, son, Jeffrey Koecher; granddaughter, Heather Van Guilder; grandsons, Lyle Koecher, Maxwell Mascarenas; sisters, Eleanor (Orville) Koecher and Inez (Elmer) Hengel; brothers, Harry and Lawrence Fralich.

Jean is survived by her children, Gayle (Dennis) VanGuilder of Makinen, Sheila (Don) Crews of Hermantown, Steve Koecher of Duquette and Craig (Kim) Koecher of Nickerson; grandchildren, Ray (Michelle) VanGuilder, Heidi (Shane) Johnson, Jason (Lena) Koecher, Nichole Koecher, Derrick (Amber Fett) Koecher, Justin Koecher, Jeremy Koecher, Brittany (Mark) Mascarenas, Courtney (Dillon Molloy) Koecher, Mara Crews and Bryce Crews; great grandchildren, Heather VanGuilder, Shyla Copeland, Caitlin, Hannah and Austin Koecher, Paige, Randi and Paitynn Koecher, Domanic, Gabriella and Brooklyn Mascarenas and Riley Molloy; 1 step grandson; 6 step great grandchildren; 1 step great great grandson; 2 sisters-in-law, Delores and Eleanor Fralich and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 15 from 5 – 7 PM and will continue Friday, October 16 from 10 AM until the 11 AM Service in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. Interment will be in Nickerson Cemetery. To sign the guestbook online, go to: www.hhkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.