Jean Mercer

Jean Marie Mercer peacefully passed away on August 20, 2017 at Peace Hospice following a brief illness.Jean was born December 18, 1927 in Lakewood (Cleveland), Ohio, the daughter of Sigrid Augusta Anderson Klasgye and Elmer George Klasgye. Growing up during the depression, her family moved for work in 1929, briefly to Washington, DC,then on to Bronx, New York. As a child, Jean enjoyed seeing the Rockettes and serial movies at Radio City Music Hall and summer weekends at Glen Island Beach on Pelham Bay and the Hudson River Valley. In 1937, the Klasgye family moved backed to Lakewood. Jean graduated from Lakewood High School in January 1947, she then matriculated to Kent State University. She was active in the Spanish Club and on the Fencing team. Working her summers as a waitress at Eaglesmore (Pennsylvannia) vacation lodge and traveling throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Graduating with a BA in Spanish/ Latin and Home Economics in 1950.Following her college years, Jean went to work for a Brazilian steel company, translating documents, until she was selected for work with the U.S. State Department in 1952. She traveled via steamship,making a port call in Havana to her first assignment at Sa Paulo, Brazil at the U.S. Consulate. She experienced several military coups and tanks rumbling past her office and machine gun fire. After that successful tour, Jean was transferred to Paris and in August 1956 she boarded the S.S. America bound for France.While in Paris she met a young U.S. Air Force Airman, Jose Marty Martinez. They married in New York City and moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Jean worked at the Patrick AFB newspaper and had two sons, Randy and Billy. In 1960, the family moved to Ramstein AFB, Germany, where their daughter Bonnie was born. The family was then transferred to Great Falls in 1963. Jean and Marty divorced in 1964.In 1965, Jean met and married Hank Mercer started a blended family of eight children and another son, Russell was born in 1966. Jean was then a full-time mom and learned the fine points of vegetable gardening, home repairman and took her sewing skills and Home Economics degree to a new level. Jean and Hank divorced in 1980.As the children grew older, Jean returned to the workforce, first as a Lunch Lady at Meadowlark Elementary School and then as a Mail Clerk at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, where she eventually retired.Jean remained active her entire life. She enjoyed planning and preparing her meals, swimming at the Peak, sewing, playing board games (Chinese Checkers Champion of the World), jigsaw puzzles and helping others. She took great pride in her independence.Mom enjoyed every day to the fullest, loved living in Great Falls and always made time to visit with family and friends when they stopped by or called. Special thanks to Roberta Stewart and family for always loving our Mom. She always enjoyed the birthday cakes.Jean is survived by her children, Randy (Cathy) Martinez, Stedman, NC, Bill Martinez, Belgrade, MT, Bonnie (Lyle) Fogerty, Great Falls, MT, Russell (Darlene), Mercer, Richland, WA, Tom (Janice) Mercer, Meridian, ID, Margie (Dan) Waitt, Great Falls, MT, Bill (Michelle) Mercer, Mount Vernon, WA, Patty Reekie, Layton, UT, and Allen Mercer (deceased); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and little sidekick Zeus.At Jean's request, there will be no services. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.