Otto Jean

Otto W. Jean age 94 of Darlington, WI, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. He was born July 27, 1922 in Darlington Township in Lafayette County, WI, the son of Louis and Anna (Friedli) Jean. Otto lived in Darlington all of his life where he worked on a number of farms and worked for Farmers Telephone Company until he started working with his brother-in-law, Al Ruef. In 1946, he went into business with his brother, Fritz, and co-owned and operated Jean Brother Construction Company. Otto was united in marriage to Darlene Sperry on June 15, 1948 at First Baptist Church in Darlington. In 1956, Otto and Darlene owned Otto Jean Construction with the help of his brother-in-law, Harvey Sperry and his son Tom and Grandson Jason until retiring in 2005.Otto is survived by four children: Ron (Marsha) Jean of Altoona, IA, Colleen (Steve) Heaton of Milwaukee, WI, Tom (Jane) Jean of Darlington, and Tim (Scott Robillard) Jean of Verona, WI; seven grandchildren: Scott (Natausha) Jean, Todd Jean, Sarah (Aaron) Berken, Jason (Kelsey) Jean, Samantha Heaton, Megan (Asher) Good, and Shannon Jean; eleven great-grandchildren: Alex, Jessica, Brock, Tate and Natiel Jean, Isaac, Anna and Ava Berken, and Ella and Hudson Otto Jean, Malik Askew; and one sister: Annie Burg of Post Falls, ID and two sisters-in-law Gloria Sperry of Darlington and Bev Sperry of DeForest, WI; two Brothers-in-law Bob (Betty) Sperry of Inverness, FL and Roger (Ellen) Sperry of Darlington and several Nieces nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws: Glen (Marie) Sperry; his wife: Darlene on February 14, 2011; one brother: Fritz Jean; six sisters: Hilda White, Gertrude Jean, Louise Jean, Dorothy Hodgson, Martha McQuaid and Hedy Ruef; six Brothers-in-law: Al Ruef, Earl Hodgson, Swede McQuaid, Bud Burg, Gaylord and Harvey Sperry. Otto was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington and a past member of First Baptist Church in Darlington. Otto served on the Darlington City Council for 10 years and was also a thirty-year member of Darlington Fire Department where he served as captain of the tanker. Otto spent countless hours playing cards with buddies and was an avid sports fan who reverently attended numerous Packer games over the years with his lifelong friend Charlie Westerman. Otto cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren creating memories that they will all remember forever. A funeral service will be held Monday, June 19, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ (339 E. Louisa Street, Darlington) with Rev. Craig Simenson of Grace Lutheran Church in Darlington officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ and on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the church. The family invites everybody to wear Packer attire to the visitation in memory of Otto. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Otto's name.