Jean Margaret Hovde, age 89 of Ellsworth died peacefully December 10th 2021 at Preferred Senior Living in Ellsworth. Jean was born in Plum City, Wisconsin on May 11, 1932 to Jake and Anna Louise Ebensperger. She grew up in Plum City and graduated from Plum City High School in 1950. Jean married Douglas Kaufman in May of 1951 and they had four children. Unfortunately, Douglas passed away in 1965. After a few years passed, Jean met and married James Hovde in 1969. James would precede her in death in 1994.

Later in life, she attended and graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin River Falls with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught school for a couple years before taking a position with the Bank of Ellsworth. From there, she held several positions with Pierce County Government Center.  She would fully retire after working for Lord Abstract.

Preceding Jean would be her husband’s Douglas Kaufman, James Hovde; her son Brad Kaufman; six brothers and sisters; and several nieces and nephews.  Jean will live on in hearts of her children, Michele Valk, Michael Kaufman, Judy (Tom) Afdahl; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean’s family wishes to thank Preferred Senior Living in Ellsworth for their exceptional care while Jean lived there as well as St. Croix Hospice for providing dignity and wonderful care as mom said goodbye.

Mass of Christian Burial for Jean Hovde will be 11AM, Saturday December 18th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Click here to watch livestream. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at St. Francis on Saturday morning. Memorials will be to the discretion of the family. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.