Obituaries : Jean Silhanek

Jean Silhanek

KEYSTONE—Jean Silhanek, 81, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at her family farm home north of Keystone from complications of a stroke.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. B. Andrew Wright officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, and an hour before services on Wednesday. Private family inurnment will be in Keystone Cemetery.

Jean Marie Offt was born March 31, 1934, in Vinton, the daughter of Milo and Dorothea Brauer Offt. She graduated from Keystone High School and on August 23, 1953, she married Wayne Silhanek in Keystone, with the service performed by her grandfather, Rev. A.W. Brauer. The couple farmed and were active members of St. John Lutheran Church. Jean was a devoted farm wife who loved baking, sunsets and flower gardening; however, her greatest enjoyment was attending her children’s and grandchildren's activities and spending time with family.

Jean is survived by her five sons: Douglas (Jane) Silhanek, Atkins; Steven Silhanek, Dallas, TX; Greg
(Carlene) Silhanek, Keystone; Kent Silhanek, Dysart; and Rod Silhanek, Keystone; seven grandchildren: Seth (Jessica) Silhanek, Zach (Karen) Silhanek, Rebecca (Michael) Weber, Jordan (Kim) Silhanek, Jacqueline (Jeramy) Jones, Todd (Colleen) Dorman and Danni Torson; eleven great-grandchildren with number twelve on the way; brother, Jim (Jo) Offt, Blairstown; sisters, Joyce Ransom, Van Horne; Jo Ann (Wayne) Piebenga, Rapids City, SD; Janet (Terry) Newton, Blairstown; Judy (Randy) Newton, Oakley, CA; brother-in-law, Richard (Norma) Silhanek, Keystone; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Wayne, in 2011.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Jean and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.