Jean B. Karge

Jean Elizabeth Karge, age 94, passed away peacefully in a memory care facility in Lantana,
Florida on January 4, 2020. She had been living there over 2 years with her daughter Deborah
Crosby and son-in-law Jim, close by. Her husband of 73 years, Gustave Karge, pre-deceased
her by almost 4 years.

Jean is survived by her 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren: daughter
Barbara, grandson Steven ( wife Chelsea) and great granddaughter Sophia, and grandson
Kevin; son James Karge (wife Barbara) and grandsons Anthony and Mark (wife Hera); daughter
Deborah (husband Jim) and grandson Andy (wife Cara), great grandson Evan and great
granddaughters Trula and Rosalie; daughter Kristine and grandsons Evan and Jackson; and
daughter Jo Anne.

Jean, who grew up an only child, always wanted a big family. Raising 5 children was one of the
crowning achievements of her life. As a homemaker in the era of the fifties and sixties, she was
a dedicated wife and mother. She took pride in having a fastidiously kept home, being actively
involved in her kids’ lives, chaperoning and chau ffeuring, and making extra special holiday
celebrations. When the children were raised, she and Gus welcomed their children home for
visits with their kids (and dogs!). Always one for adventure and novel experience she loved
traveling to visit her kids and grandkids in other parts of the country, as well.

Jean was born and raised in Brockport, New York and spent most of her life there with the
exception of the war years where she followed her navy pilot husband with their three young
children to live in New Orleans during the Korean War. She was a very active member of the
Brockport community, volunteering for decades as a “Gray Lady” at the Lakeside Memorial
Hospital where she put her kindness, friendliness and “gift of gab” to good use as at the
information desk. She was a longstanding member of the Nativity BVM Catholic Church where
she volunteered with Catholic Daughters for many years, organizing church bazaars and other
events.

There will be a memorial mass celebrating Jean’s life in Brockport, New York, sometime late
Spring or early Summer, to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s
Association (act.alz.org) and have notifications sent to Kristine Karge, 89 Cobble Drive,
Hinesburg, Vermont, 05461.

“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but how much you are loved by others”
(L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz)