Jean B Ford

Jean Brubaker Ford was born in 1942 in Kettering, Ohio to Dan and Helen Brubaker. The daughter of a printing press owner and the oldest of five siblings, she grew up quickly and learned her domestic and parenting skills at an early age. After high school she attended some college locally, but was drawn back into the family business. Around this time she was introduced to a young man from Montana who was the college roommate of one of her coworkers’ sons. After a series of letters and a visit or two to Missoula and Billings, she married John Ford in December 1965. She followed him to Omaha shortly thereafter where he attended medical school at Creighton university. Upon graduation, they moved to Seattle for John to begin his surgery residency. After a year enduring the rigors of his intense surgical internship, he was drafted into the Vietnam War. In a twist of irony, they were sent back to Omaha where John conducted induction physicals for all the services. Upon completion of his military duties, Jean convinced John to give up the long hours of a surgery residency whereby he enrolled in the newly formed Family Medicine Residency at Creighton. John was the first and only member of it’s inaugural class. The family moved to Lexington in 1973 in no small part due to its plethora of ducks and pheasants. He convinced Jean that as a pilot, he could whisk her away to a major city anytime her heart desired. While she never would have imagined life would have taken her from Ohio to Central Nebraska, she was happy to raise her family in a charming small town with friendly neighbors and a bustling New Holland combine factory. After a year in town, getting involved in the various local activities, she never seemed to desire to go to those major cities again. Shortly after their arrival in Lexington, she experienced the deepest sadness of her life: she delivered then lost premature twin girls Kate Lynn and Mary Beth. Although they were only with her a short time, they had a profound and enduring presence in spirit for the rest of her life. The family roots grew deep. She developed many friendships through things like bridge club, PEO, Basket Cases, a Founding Mother of Plum Creek Quilt Guild and loves her salad luncheon ladies. She was the quintessential homemaker, shuttling the kids to and from school, cleaning and cooking. She always had a hot meal ready for the family soon after John arrived home from work. She never missed a football or basketball game, or those dreadfully long track meets. She spent a few years in a secretarial position with Ondrak CPA, and a few more years than she would have liked as the bookkeeper for the family swine business, Plum Creek Pork. She shepherded her family into the open arms of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, sent Suzy and Morgan to St. Ann’s school, and she remained a devout member of St. Ann’s to the end of her days. As the nest emptied, she spread her own wings in travel with Adventures to Europe, South Africa and New Zealand. She made regular visits to family in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida as well as visits to Morgan in Idaho. She relished her extended stays at her sanctuary home in the Montana mountains. “Gadabout Grandma” was her adopted moniker from her mother and she wore it well. She had a passion and a talent for quilting and it was not uncommon for her to bestow a quilt to friends and family for special events such as births or graduations. Several of her pieces even won awards at the Nebraska State Fair. She was a longtime member of the Nebraska State Quilt Guild and served on it’s board in 2014 as it’s historian. Her best friend was her beloved daughter. They had a special relationship. She and Suzy would spend evenings or weekends together at dinner or at the movies, home improvement projects or even the occasional travel for special events. She was married to John for nearly 53 years and was steadfastly in support of him through every late night at work, every thistle pulled, every drop in corn, cattle and hog prices. She grudgingly endured every new German Shorthaired pointer puppy that was brought home. With each passing year, so grew their love, mutual respect and understanding of one another. She loved her grandchildren dearly and would always make time for them. May their memories of her be of kindness, teaching and love. Rest In Peace, Mom. Your work here on Earth is done. Memorials are suggested to International Quilt Study Center, Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, Nebraska State Quilt Guild or donors choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com