Jean Katherine Peno

Jean Peno passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 at Ecumen of North Branch, at the age of 87.

Jean Katherine Pitreski was born October 27, 1937 to John and Louise (Hammes) Pitreski in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up helping on the family farm with her six sisters and her brother, graduating from Hinckley High School.

Jean attended secretarial college in Minneapolis and began employment at the University of Minnesota Alumni Office, where she had the opportunity to plan a trip to the Rose Bowl with her department. 

Jean met William "Bill" Peno at "Happy's" in Hinckley, dancing the night away. They fell in love and were married February 2, 1963 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hinckley. 

After moving to Rush City, they began work on their farm while starting a family. Jean loved music and encouraged her children's involvement in singing, piano and instruments. She welcomed every opportunity to sing, whether it be in the kitchen or in church, and she also enjoyed dancing with Bill throughout her life, especially a good polka, whether it be for date night or a wedding celebration.

Jean took pleasure in the craft of sewing, making annual holiday dresswear for her children, as well as matching square dance shirts and dresses for date nights with Bill.

With a love for the outdoors, Jean enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and making fresh floral arrangements for the home. She spent much time in the garden and picked various berries on the farm, with the addition of annual trips to Door County to pick cherries, for making her delicious fruit jelly and pies. Jean discovered her talents early for baking, cooking, and canning. She frequently received Grand Champion Ribbons in various counties for her canned pickles, jams, and vegetables. She later entered her canning in the Minnesota State Fair and also began collecting blue ribbon awards there.

Her family enjoyed gathering at the farm to celebrate holidays together and feasting on her special recipes, one of which was her top secret chocolate pie.

 With an appreciation for antiques, Jean enjoyed refurbishing furniture and discovering unique items to decorate the home.

Jean also took pleasure in being out in nature for various activities with family and friends, whether it be for bicycling, snowmobiling, skiing, or camping trips. She also appreciated the serenity of nature, going on walks and taking in the beauty of the fields, forest and pond on the farm. Later in life she enjoyed deer hunting and it became an annual tradition she enjoyed with some of her grandchildren.

Jean labored alongside Bill on the many tasks on their farm, including a shared role in taking care of the cattle, harvesting crops, loading wood for heating their home, planting pine trees, and putting up fencing.

Jean retired as a secretary for the MN Department of DNR Hinckley Area Fisheries, where she managed the office for over 20 years. Thereafter, she took the minutes for the Farm Bureau meetings she attended with Bill.

Travel was enjoyed by Jean in her later years with Bill. She enjoyed visiting cathedrals wherever they traveled across the US or overseas, especially a meaningful trip to Fatima. Traveling with friends and family on several cruises provided many fond memories for Jean.

Jean's faith was a significant part of her entire life. She loved getting dressed up for church and decided to become a Eucharistic Minister in her later years. 

Jean had a heartfelt smile and gifted kindness to all whom she encountered. She was truly an exemplary woman, embracing life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Jean is survived by her children Valerie (Alan) Simays of Slinger, WI., Sharlene Jennissen of Miltona, Dudley (Lori) Peno of North Branch; grandchildren: Rachel (Kyle), Abigail (Rob), Zachariah (Molly), Jacob, Jacqueline, Avery, Aaron and Nathan; step-grandchildren: Erich (Danielle), Cody (Yesenia), Corina, Tina (David), Christopher, Cassandra (James); many great-grandchildren; siblings Carol Baldwin of WA., Anna Mae (Tom) Crotty of Shoreview; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Louise Pitreski; husband Bill Peno; son-in-law Mark Jennissen; grandson John Scheller; siblings Mary Lou Tauber Mollenhoff (Frank Tauber, Alfred Mollenhoff), Arlene (Roland) Greenhagen, Johann (Donald) Bachman, Geraldine (Clifford) Rust, David (Scherrie) Pitreski; brother-in-law Chuck Baldwin.

Father Matt Shireman will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Jean: 11:00 AM Wednesday (11/27) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 5-8 PM Tuesday evening with a Rosary at 7:00 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is also planned for one hour prior to the Mass at the church. The interment will take place in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Rush City.

Please click here to view Jean's Mass of Christian Burial.

Memorials may be directed to: Alzheimer Association

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to:  Funeral And Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com