Jean MacLaughlin-Larson

Jean Carol MacLaughlin-Larson (a.k.a. “Mimi”), 79, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, having grown too big and gathered more energy than her earthly body could hold, departed this life for her next adventure on July 31, 2017, following a brief stay with the caring and dedicated staff at Reflections, Dove Healthcare - West in Eau Claire.

Jean was born April 27, 1938 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The eldest of former Eau Claire Police Chief, Harold, and Elsie MacLaughlin’s four children, Jean cherished her childhood memories of life on Ferry Street in “Shaw Town.” A trail-blazing oldest child, Jean embraced her roles as peace and memory keeper of the family; and when the Chilgren-Taylor cousins joined in for swims in the Eau Claire River, songs around the campfire, dancing with abandon, and a dish of homemade ice cream with chocolate sugar - life was simply, delicious!

Jean began school at Mt. Washington Elementary School, walking to school in her terrible, itchy wool stockings. Jean graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1956, receiving her diploma together with a gorgeous group of friends she would grow older with and closer to as the years passed. After graduation, Jean went on to Rochester Junior College and obtained an Associate in Arts Medical Secretarial degree in 1958.

On August 29, 1959, Jean married Ray E. Larson in Eau Claire, WI at the First Baptist Church (now Renew Church). Jean and Ray spent the next 58 years having adventures and making memories.

Jean’s wanderlust began when Ray was accepted to the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Following Ray’s commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, Jean became a Navy Wife, living first in the San Francisco Bay area while Ray was stationed at the Treasure Island Naval Base; then living near the Naval Station Rota, Spain for three years. Following their time in Spain, Jean enjoyed traveling throughout Europe with Ray, family, and friends, as they made their way back to the Chippewa Valley where they would eventually settle into second-generation ownership of Larson Construction Co., Inc. Thankfully, love of travel and Spain continued, and their children are especially thankful for the many trips the family took together to their home in Spain, including the final trip in 2007 that included the grandchildren. Many trips included road-trips through England and Scotland; and even though the winter camping in England sans toilet or shower is still not full appreciated, many joyful memories and life-long friends were made on those trips.

Jean, Ray and their children were charter members of the Wissota Raptors 4-H Club in Chippewa Falls. Membership in the Wissota Raptors figured prominently in Jean’s life, as she was the leader of the International Foods Project, and taught many young people how to prepare, present, and formally serve foods from around the world. Jean also enjoyed monthly international dinners with friends, serving with the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary, and the time spent with dear friends in both the Herb and Lake Wissota Garden Clubs.

Jean was an avid pet-lover and had many pets throughout her lifetime. She loved each, but especially her dear Samuel Augustus. Jean’s kind heart had room for many children as well. In addition to her own adopted children, Jean welcomed her niece, Lisl Jean MacLaughlin to her home many summers, with Lisl being another daughter to Jean. She also welcomed many foreign exchange students, beginning in the early 1980s with a student from Northern Ireland, and continuing into the 1990s with students from Germany and Russia. Jean cared for all of these young women and provided them with a loving home in Chippewa Falls.

Jean absolutely loved Christmas, and filled her home with decorations and holiday spirit. She invited guests to share in her holiday joy. There was always a family baking day around Jean’s large kitchen-island where all generations gathered to bake the Christmas Cookies - complete with Jean snitching the Scotch Shortbread dough - her absolute favorite! And giving gifts brought her special joy - at least until there was more Parkinson’s Disease and not so much Jean.

For Jean was also a survivor. Jean was first called upon to fight breast cancer in the early 1990s, which she did with grace and vigor, being cancer-free after a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and five long years of Tamoxifen. Jean received her Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis just shortly after the relief of a cancer-free diagnosis. Jean took this information in, and continued to live her life as though not much had changed. Some might call this denial. For Jean, however, this was mind over matter, and allowed her to live with Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 20 years.

Jean is survived by: her husband, Ray E. Larson, of Eau Claire, WI; her two daughters: Megan (Tim) MacLaughlin-Barck of Chippewa Falls, WI; and Heather (Peter) MacLaughlin Garbes of Seattle, WA; and two grandchildren, Matthew MacLaughlin-Barck and Emma MacLaughlin-Barck of Chippewa Falls. She is also survived by three siblings: Ann (Anne Stinson) MacLaughlin of Colorado Springs, CO; John (Sandy) MacLaughlin of Rochester, MN; and Douglas (Maureen) MacLaughlin of West Palm Beach, FL; and one sister-in-law: Patricia (Fred) Swan of Canton, CT. She is also survived by several nieces and a nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold L. MacLaughlin and Elsie E. MacLaughlin, both of Eau Claire, WI.

Burial Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire, WI. Jean’s Celebration of Life will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Renew Church, 416 Niagara Street, Eau Claire, WI, with visitation from 1-2 p.m. just prior to the Celebration. A Christmas High Tea (Jean loved tea, cookies, cakes, & Christmas!) in Jean’s honor will be held in the Fellowship Room at the church immediately following her Celebration.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean’s honor may go to the Greenhalgh Memorial Music Endowment Fund (GMME), c/o the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, 404 1/2 N. Bridge St., PO Box 153, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. This particular fund is chosen because Jean encouraged both of her daughters and her grandchildren to have music in their lives. Jean was a very active band-booster parent when her daughters were members of the Chi-Hi Band Program under the direction of Doug Greenhalgh. Both Megan and Heather were very inspired by Mr. Greenhalgh, and they remain very passionate about the Chi-Hi Marching Band Program and all those it continues to inspire, including Jean’s grandchildren, Matthew and Emma.

Thank you to all those who provided comfort and peace to Jean in the final days of her life here, especially Jean’s beloved, life-long friends Evonne (Ramsey) Old and Mary Ellen (Baker) Moser who traveled great distance to be at her side; as well as Jean and Ray’s dear friends, Ann and Rich Jones, who have been a constant source of compassion and companionship. And Jean’s nephew, John D. MacLaughlin, who made Jean laugh, made sure she got sun, and brought her milkshakes.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.