"To know her was to love her."

With great and profound sadness, the family of Jean Marie (Jorgensen) Vetter announces her passing on Friday, December 8th, 2023. She slipped into her eternal rest suddenly, but peacefully at age 78. In her final moments, she was surrounded by her loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Jean was born to Arvine and Leila Jorgensen on August 19th, 1945, in Rochelle, Illinois. Jean attended Concordia College, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She became a phenomenal teacher, role model, and a haven for all the children she met throughout her career as an educator. Her love for sharing knowledge was unparalleled.

Jean shared her life with her husband of 53 years, Charles (Chuck) F. Vetter. They met on one momentous evening when he asked her to dance. From that point on, their love grew beyond all imagination. They were married in Colorado Springs on March 17th, 1970. After that, she moved with him to New England to start their lives together, where they raised two wonderful children. Over the years, Jean and Chuck traveled coast to coast, sharing adventures with family and friends along the way. They retired to the woods of Stetson, Maine where they had built a beautiful home for themselves and their growing family. They remained there for 19 years, listening to the loons on the lake and enjoying each other's company. They had just completed a move to North Berwick to be closer to family. There was a large Thanksgiving dinner this past November with the whole family in attendance as per Jean's request.

Jean was a caring, compassionate, and loving Lutheran woman. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. All who met her knew that her love language was food. Jean loved spending time in her kitchen, preparing meals and baked goods for all that came to visit. Anyone who stopped by could be sure to leave with a stomach full of delicious food, as she'd offer them more before the plates were even cleared. Her grandchildren were often delighted by the treats they would all bake together. Her recipes to this day remain desired by many.

While not being a New Englander by birth, Jean embraced the New England spirit through and through. She was a New Englander at heart, and she truly belonged exactly where she spent her days. She was loved by all who knew her. Her beautiful soul will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Jean is survived by her husband, Charles F. Vetter; brother John Jorgensen (his wife, Barbara); sister Sharon Siberg (her husband, David); daughter Jodie Greer (her husband, Jason); son Charles Vetter (his wife, Amy); her 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild: Chandler (his partner, Julia and their daughter, Lillian), Gwendolynn, Mackenzie, Riley, Jayson, Amelia, Piper, Remi, and Olivia; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends are invited to visit with Jean's family on Sunday, December 17th from 2 pm to 4 pm in the J.S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home at 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, Maine 03904.

A funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, December 18th at 11 am in the First Congregational Church of Eliot at 1361 State Road, Eliot, Maine 03903 with Rev. Dr. Beth Hoffman officiating.