Jeannine Marie Lepschat, 85, a resident of the Forest Grove community, passed away on Monday morning, February 6 at Providence St Vincent Medical Center in Portland.

Jean was born on January 23, 1932, in Verboort, OR. She was the oldest of six children born to William “Bill” and Dorothy (Vandervelden) Kemper. She was raised in Verboort where she attended Verboort Grade School and High School graduating with the class of 1950.

She met her husband, Robert “Bob” Lepschat while at a community dance. They soon began dating and were married on December 27, 1952, in Verboort. They made their home in the Forest Grove/Banks area where they raised their four children; Marc, Gina, Anna-Marie, and Tom. They divorced in 2001 but remained close friends and later resided with each other until Bob’s passing in 2008.

Jean was a loving and devoted mother and homemaker. She also worked outside the home to help make ends meet. She started in the cannery but soon began working in clerical positions such as Pacific University, Neil Armstrong Jr. High and Forest Grove High School. She and Bob also worked in Real Estate for many years.

She enjoyed the outdoors especially in the spring and summer for golfing. She was an accomplished gardener, enjoyed traveling in their RV and visiting the coast and casinos. She was known for making great rolls and Christmas candy. Jean loved to dance, read and attended church at Verboort. She was also a big volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Forest Grove helping in the kitchen.

She is preceded in death by her former husband Bob, her parents, and two siblings; Nolan Kemper and Joyce Giesbers.

She is survived by her four children and their partners; Marc Lepschat of Forest Grove, Gina Fivecoat and her partner Bob Frasco of Verboort, Anna-Marie Sharum of Salisbury, NC and Tom Lepschat and his partner, Betsy Brower both of Forest Grove. Three siblings; Sharon Giesbers (Dennis), Carolyn Chapman (Charles), and Charlene Flowers. She was blessed with five grandchildren; Erin, Bobbi, Lee, Ansley, and Maggie Jean, two great-grandchildren Crew and Freddie.

The family suggest donations in Jean’s name to Visitation School.