Jean Bayles Kirking

KIRKING, JEAN B. LODI-Jean B. Kirking died October 24 in Lodi. She was born on October 2, 1925 to Dennis and Ruth (Brereton) Bayles as the youngest of five children. Cortland, Favill, Lois (Gasser) and an infant sister all preceded her in death. She attended a small country school near Merrimac and Baraboo High School before graduating from Lodi High School in 1942. After graduating from what is now the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Jean taught elementary school, first in rural schools in Iowa and Dane counties and later in the Madison area. Jean met LeVerne Kirking when they were at Platteville. They were married at the Lodi Methodist Church in 1946 while he was on a brief leave from the U.S. Navy. Together they purchased, operated and expanded her parents' dairy and poultry farm until retiring in the early 1990s. Theirs was recognized as a Centennial Farm and has been in her family more than125 years. LeVerne preceded her in death in 2012. Always an advocate for expanding women's roles and influence in the rural community, Jean strongly supported the local Elm Neighborhood Club. She was also active in Extension Services Homemakers at the county and state levels including serving as state program chair for programs to increase women's awareness of diverse world cultures. Jean was a member of the Lodi United Methodist Church for more than 72 years, where she was active in its United Methodist Women organization and handbell choir. She was a long-time member of the Lodi Queen Esther Eastern Star chapter and served in most of its leadership positions including Worthy Matron in 1961. Jean was an avid gardener. Her friends and family enjoyed her gifts of homemade pies, jams and canned goods. She loved watching the changing sky and was always on the lookout for rainbows, interesting cloud formations, colorful sunsets, and rare Northern Lights. Jean embraced learning throughout her life and fostered it in her children. They fondly remember how, when a question was raised at mealtime about a new place, object or idea, Mom would fetch (or send one of them to get) the encyclopedia to read up on it. She also inspired her children to learn from new experiences - encouraging them in 4-H, coaching them in speaking contests, and allowing them to explore the world through travel. She is survived by her children Duane (Marilyn), Ann Arbor, MI; Ann (Jeffrey) Post, Gaithersburg, MD; Bruce (Diane), Edina, MN; Gale (Regina), Brno, Czech Republic; Cheryl (David) Kilker, Lake Mills, WI; seven grandchildren: Bryce, Sarah Jean and Blake Kilker, Alison and Marissa Post, and Petra Jana and Marie Jean Kirking; and an AFS foreign exchange "daughter," Angela Ghizzi, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at LODI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 Locust St., Lodi. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday at the Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Donations in Jean's memory may be made to the Lodi United Methodist Church or the Reach Out Lodi community center project (www.reachoutlodi.org). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Hamre Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street, Lodi 608-592-3201