Ethel Jean Rounds

Ethel ?Jean? Rounds was born September 29, 1921, in Iroquois, S.D. She was the daughter of Jesse and Grace (McNeil) Rounds. As a young child Jean moved with her family to Eagle Bend, MN. Jean was baptized as a young woman along with her mother in Lake Irene. Following her father?s death the family moved to Carlos, MN and later to the Alexandria area. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1941, jobs were scarce. Jean and her sister Evelyn moved to Minneapolis were Jean worked for a period at Sears Roebuck. Discovering that jobs were abundant in Rockford, Illinois, Jean moved along with her sister Evelyn, brother in law Russell, brother Murray, his wife Hazel, and Hazels brother, Pete Runge to Rockford. Jean began working on the manufacturing line for National Lock Company and later advanced to a payroll supervisor. Jean worked for National Lock for thirty-seven years. In 1982, Jean retired and returned to Alexandria with her mother Grace, whom she had been living with for all of these years. Jean was very active in the Republican Party in both Rockford and Alexandria. She loved baseball. Whenever she could Jean attended a Chicago Cubs game; if she couldn?t be there she was watching the game on television. Music was a very important part of Jean?s life. While in Rockford, Ill. Jean was a member of the Sweet Adeline?s, sang with the Big City Choir and also in the Court Street Methodist Church Choir. Jean always had cats and a flower garden, and after retiring to Alexandria spent much of her time doing needlework, cross-stitch, writing poems and photography. Jean proudly brought much of her needlework and photography projects, baked and canned goods to the Douglas County Fair where she was awarded many blue ribbons. Jean and her mother were very close. Jean lived with and cared for her mother throughout most of Jean?s life. Her mother lived with her in Rockford and in Alexandria. As her mother?s health faded Jean was always there to care for her and loved her mother Grace very much. All through Jean?s life her siblings were very close to her and were her best of friends. Her entire family was important to her. She was her nieces and nephews favorite aunt; always full of fun, life, laughter, and love. On Sunday, October 6, 2013 Jean died at the age of ninety-two years. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Vernon and Murray Rounds; and her sisters, Eleanor Rounds, Helen Liddle, Muriel ?Byrdie? Johnson, Evelyn Henningsgaard and Wilma Garbisch. Jean is survived by her brother in law, Russell A. Henningsgaard of Alexandria, nephews: Russell D. Henningsgaard Jr. and Reginald (Gail) Johnson, both of Alexandria. Skip (Judy) Rounds of Rockford Ill, Richard (Diane) Rounds of Brandon Manitoba, Mike Rounds of California. Nieces: Deanna McCabe, of Alexandria, Sharon Clifford (George) of Scottsdale, AZ. Susan (Virgil) Moore of Branson, MO. Shirley Schirz of Palm Harbor, Fl., Connie (Jan) Rounds of Rockford, Ill., Barbie (Brian) Klaas of Rockford, Ill., Marilyn Johnson of Bixby, OK and Sandra Schill of Colorado, and many great nieces and great nephews. A funeral service will be held 10 AM Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Pastor Sarah Evenson will officiate and Kim Byrne will provide music. Interment will follow in the Eagle Bend Cemetery. Casket bearers include: Nathan McCabe, Tim Johnson, Justin Johnson, Courtney Clifford, Gabriel Henningsgaard, Jesse Henningsgaard, and Jason Henningsgaard. Honorary casket bearers: All of her other great nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.