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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Jean K. Seery
Jean K. Seery
Cedar Rapids
Jean Knudsvig Seery was born June 12, 1925, in the home of her parents, Marie Amelia (née Larson) and Alvin Milfred Knudsvig, near Ossian, Iowa. She attended a country school, Bloomfield No. 6 (Stendel), through eighth grade, and then Ossian High School. As a sophomore, she received one of the highest statewide awards in the Iowa Scholarship Contest. After graduating in 1943, Jean moved to Cedar Rapids, where she worked in the production offices of The Quaker Oats Co. In 1951 she married Frank T. Seery. Several years later, with the arrival of the first of their five children, Jean's focus turned to motherhood. For the next quarter century, her waking hours were given to the children. Once they were grown, Jean resumed her formal education. In 1983 she earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Coe College, where she had been elected to Phi Kappa Phi the previous year. For the next two decades, Jean served as the librarian at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll. During that period she also traveled overseas to many destinations she had long desired to see. She remained active at home and in the community well into her later years.
Jean made her transition July 22, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital following a brief illness. She is survived by her children, Anne Seery, of Bellville, Ohio; Joan Seery, of Cedar Rapids; John Seery, of Claremont, California; David Seery, of Chicago, Illinois; and Gwen Kuklo, of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by two sons-in-law, Randall Palmer and Timothy Kuklo; a daughter-in-law, Kim Peasley; seven grandchildren; four cousins; many nieces and nephews; and friends and former colleagues. Jean’s transition was preceded by the transitions of her husband; parents; sister, Linda Kling; and brothers, Alden, Ernest, Parnell, and Lein.
A private interment was conducted at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A gathering in recognition of Jean is planned for a future date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, of which Jean was a member, or to an organization of choice.
Her Inner Light abides.
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