Jean M. Leary, 67, Eagle River, Alaska, formerly of Stevens Point, died Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at her home, following a 31-year battle with multiple sclerosis.
A memorial gathering will be held a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Providence Hospice, 5435 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99508.
Janssen’s Eagle River Funeral Home of Eagle River, Alaska, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at ww.janssenfuneralhomes.com.
Mrs. Leary was born July 9, 1945, in Wausau, a daughter of Lorraine Van Beckum, and the late Joseph Van Beckum. She moved to Stevens Point as a child where she attended local schools, graduating from Maria High School in 1963. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) and UW-Madison where she received a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 1967.
She was married to John Leary in 1967.
They lived in Mankato, Minn., where she was a pediatric staff nurse at St. Joseph Hospital until being hired as a public health nurse for Blue Earth County. She worked there until 1972, when they moved to Alaska, where she worked as a pediatric nurse at Providence Hospital and later as a public health nurse for the Greater Anchorage Area Borough.
She was affiliated with Alpha Phi Sorority, The National MS Society, UW Nurses Alumni Organization and The American Cancer Society. She received awards and certificates of appreciation from different organizations, including the Chugiak Senior Center.
Survivors include her husband; her mother, Wisconsin; three sisters, Ann Tepp and Mary Tepp, both of Wisconsin, and Linda Purnell, Minnesota.
