Jean Elaine Krzak

Jean Elaine Krzak, age 75, of Baxter, Minn., passed away peacefully with both of her boys by her side at St. Joseph’s Medical Center on Thursday, November 30, 2023. She was born on November 19, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan. 

On August 12, 1978, Jean married Ron Krzak in Lansing, Mich. and they spent forty-four wonderful years together. Most of their life was spent in Dewitt, Michigan where they made their home. They moved to the desert of Kingman, Ariz. to be closer to her sister and get out of the cold for approximately 12 years before returning to the Midwest in 2018 to be near her son and calling the Brainerd Lakes Area home.

Jean had an amazing work ethic and worked tirelessly for many years with her siblings at her father’s family landscaping business, Richter’s Gardens. She loved to garden and work with all the flowers. Red was her favorite color. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she oversaw all the holiday decorating for the store itself as well as several local area businesses to include the state capitol building’s.

She had many fond memories of time spent at the cottage on Eight-Point Lake with family. She treasured those times as well as all her adventures with those she loved, including traveling on many road trips, some to see several of the National Parks. She enjoyed time outdoors and many rides on the side by side and her red bomber. She liked to take a lot of pictures; however, she was not the best at taking them or looking at the camera when they were taken of her. She had so many good times with friends and neighbors she met along the way too. She was always there for everyone, fun loving with a witty, joking personality. She would give you the shirt off her back, lend an ear when you needed a sounding board. She often did not have a filter, but she liked to laugh and had a big heart filled with lots of unconditional love.

She was normally an early riser and early to go to bed. She never took naps…hmm? She spent a lot of time reading in previous years and liked to work on puzzles and play bingo as well as participate in activities and outings. Her favorite thing to do was watching the Ion channel with all the Law & Order and Criminal Minds TV shows or playing slot machines at the casinos.

Jean loved to go out to eat at her favorite restaurants; Applebee’s, Bob Evans, Denny’s, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and most recently, Black Bear Lodge in Baxter. She liked crab legs, shrimp or a good steak with broccoli and mashed potatoes. Her everyday favorites were hot dogs, baked beans, sloppy joes, and Ruffles potato chips. She liked to snack on peanut butter by the spoon, Butterfinger candy bars and absolutely everything pumpkin flavored. She only ever drinks Coca- Cola (no ice) or coffee with hazelnut creamer all day.

She loved hummingbirds and cardinals and knew that they were sent by loved ones in heaven to watch over her.

Jean is now at peace joining her husband, Ron; mother, Joyce and father, Robert who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sons, Bruce (Kelli) Weaver of Breezy Point, Minn., and Brad (Tina) Weaver of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Linda (Jim) Nutt of Queen Creek, Ariz.; brothers, Robert (Glenna Sue) Richter III of Gaylord, Mich. and David (Cindy) Richter of Fort Pierce, FL.; as well as many nieces & nephews.

A celebration of life for Jean will take place in the chapel and community room on the second level at Northern Lakes Assisted Living on Saturday, December 9th, 2023. The visitation will begin at 10:30am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am and light lunch of her favorites. Internment for Jean and Ron will take place immediately following the lunch at Pelican Woods Cemetery in Breezy Pt., Minn.

We would like to extend our most heartfelt thank you to the staff at Northern Lakes Senior Living facility for the care and companionship Jean received as well as for all of the amazing memories that were created there.

Our family would also like to extend their gratitude to all who cared for Jean at St. Joseph’s Medical Center while she was hospitalized, in the ICU and on comfort care. Your kindness and compassion were appreciated during this difficult time.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.