Bohlin, Jean F.
July 30, 1922 - December 6, 2011
Mineral Point - Jean Frances Hagemeyer Bohlin, age 89, passed away peacefully in her home in Mineral Point, Wisconsin on December 6, 2011 after an arduous fight with pneumonia. The daughter of Earl P. and Merle James Hagemeyer, she was born in Denver, Colorado on July 30, 1922.
After closing his Hupmobile dealership in Denver, Earl moved the family back to the ancestral home, Norwood, Ohio. There, Jean attended Norwood High School and was a diver on their swimming team. After graduation she entered Purdue University where she met her true love and soul mate, Bert Bohlin. Jean and Bert were married on July 11, 1942. They began their married life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There, she worked as a floral designer and artist. Through the first 40 years of their marriage Jean accompanied Bert as he pursued his executive career. They moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, Westfield, New York, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, Ohio, and LaGrange and Western Springs, Illinois. Along the way she had three children and moved the family into nine different homes. She could unpack an entire moving van’s boxes, make beds and get dinner ready in one day!
Bert retired from corporate life in 1978. They had spent many years looking all over the country for the perfect place to retire. A small ad in ‘The Magazine Antiques’ for the Parley Eaton House in Mineral Point caught their eyes. They visited the next weekend, fell in love with the town, and decided to purchase the house in just one day. Retirement brought Jean into her own. She and Bert combined their passions (needlework and woodwork) and opened Needlewood at 105 Jail Alley in 1978. Jean ran the gallery and the business and loved talking with people in the community and with visitors. Both Jean and Bert became passionate about the development of the arts community and the historic preservation of the town. The gallery was open for 25 years before they retired ‘again’.
Jean’s grandmother ignited her love of fibers at a young age. She sewed, knitted and even did some tatting. But when she found needlepoint she found her real passion. Beginning with wool on canvas, she progressed to pulled thread work and then to work with fancy threads and beads. She became well known for her gallery and her needlework.
Jean was a happy, warm, caring and very ‘classy’ lady. She will be remembered for her gentle kindness and thoughtfulness. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by daughter, Leslie Bohlin of Mineral Point; son, Guy Bohlin (Rhea) of Washougal, Washington; granddaughters, Rebecca Bohlin and Sarah Bohlin (Chris Bebo) of Portland, Oregon; son-in-law, Bob Kubicek of Mineral Point; granddaughter, Molly Howard and great granddaughter, Zoe Howard of Bradenton, Florida. She was preceded in death by her sister, Merle Donahue of St Petersberg, Florida, her beloved husband Bert, and beloved daughter Chris Kubicek.
A memorial service was held Saturday, December 10 at 11:00am at the Gorgen Funeral Home in Mineral Point followed by a reception at Café 4.
Jean requested that, in lieu of flowers, any donations be sent to The Pendarvis Historic Preservation Trust, Pendarvis, Mineral Point, Wisconsin 53565
