She was born Elma Jean Puska on February 18, 1934, to the late Olaf and Ellen (Moilanen) Puska in Salo on the family farm. Jean attended the Salo school and graduated from Hancock Central High School in 1951.

Shortly thereafter, she met and married Kenneth E. Nelson and lived for a brief time in Norfolk, Virginia, where Ken was stationed with the Navy. In 1953, they moved to Mason and then in 1961, to Houghton. They parted ways in 1969.

Jean then moved to Holt to be with her sister. While working in the hotel industry in Lansing, she met her Prince Charming, the late Andrew C. Kruk. They married on March 25, 1985 and spent many happy years in Kentucky. Jean and Andrew would enjoy many family get togethers in the years to come with Ken and Eve.

In Kentucky, she worked as an IRS seasonal employee, retiring in 1989. Jean sold Avon for thirty years and befriended all of her customers.

Jean was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church while in Kentucky, involving herself in several activities of the church as well as the senior citizen group and knitting club.

Some of her enjoyments later in life were gardening, cooking, reading and crocheting. She mastered the pasty. Special occasion dresses for her two daughters were sewn to perfection by her from their birth to their proms.

Preceding her in death are her parents; sisters, Ruth (Miller) Taylor and Ellen Yvonne Plichta; her husband, Andy (2004); granddaughter, Kimberly Ogden; sister-in-law, Corrine Puska; and brother-in-law, Robert Leveque.

Surviving are her children, Gail (Joe) Evans of Houghton and Cynthia Banham of Cincinnati, Ohio; her brother, Edwin Puska of Marquette; her sister, Diana Leveque of Ontonagon; her grandchildren, Jenna (Drew) Covert of St. Joseph, Christopher Ogden of Lansing, Dillon (Ellen) Banham of Lansing; three great-grandchildren, Morgan, Addison and Liam; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that she endeared.

The faith in her Lord radiated through her smile and love of her family and friends was always present. Her soul illuminated love. Hugs replaced handshakes.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Portage Health Home Care & Hospice and Omega House for the compassionate and exceptional care provided to Jean throughout her passage.

A service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 25, 2016, officiated by Pastor D.J. Rasner at 2 p.m. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and a luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, it was Jean’s wish that donations be made to Omega House in Houghton, Bethany Lutheran Church in Erlanger, Kentucky or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.

To view Jean’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.