Jean Marie (née Axtell) Jaekel, 92, of Wausau, Wis., formerly of Issaquah, passed away June 11, 2013.
She was born Dec. 24, 1920, in Pepin, Wis., the daughter of Lloyd Alvah and Lora Frances (Hill) Axtell. One of six children growing up during the Great Depression, she learned the value of self-reliance, living by the saying, “Wear it out, fix it up, make it do or do without.”
She obtained her degree in education from LaCrosse State Teachers College in LaCrosse, Wis., in 1942. During World War II she relocated to Washington, D.C., where she worked in the airline industry. After returning to Wisconsin, she taught in a variety of cities, including Minneapolis, Sheboygan Falls and West Bend.
In 1957, she moved to the Pacific Northwest and on June 22, 1957, married John H. Jaekel, son of Rudolph and Erna (Kuehn) Jaekel, of West Bend, Wis. The couple moved to the Issaquah area in 1960.
Mrs. Jaekel joined the staff of Clark Elementary School in 1962. She taught at Clark until her retirement in 1984, most of those years teaching fifth grade in Room 13. She was particularly known for her science projects and the “state books” created by each student.
During her career, she was active in the Issaquah chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of educators, and in the Issaquah Education Association. After her retirement, Mrs. Jaekel enjoyed traveling, gardening, creative writing, genealogy research and jigsaw puzzles. In 2003, she moved to Wausau, Wis.
She was predeceased by her husband John in 1992, and siblings Alvah, Lora, Lynn and Robert.
She is survived by her sister Rosemary (Reuben) Roehl, of Wausau, daughters Rebecca Jaekel, of Ferndale, and Kathy (Tom) Matecki, and grandchildren Thomas and Mary Matecki, all of Falls Church, Va.
Donations can be made to the ADK-Alpha Rho Chapter college scholarship fund for Issaquah district high school students, 9909 182nd Ave. S.E., Issaquah, WA 98027. Friends are invited to share memories, view photos and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Arrangements by Flintoft’s Funeral Home 392-6444.