Jean A. Scholar

A gathering of family and friends of Jean Ann Scholar, 68, of Hoyt Lakes, will be from 4-7pm Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will take place at a later date in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Jean died Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN. Jean was born December 31, 1948 in Hot Springs, South Dakota to John and Nancy (Mullen) Bryant. She was a 1967 graduate of Aurora High School and worked as an aide at the White Community Hospital in Aurora. In 1968 she married James Westbrook. She was an active participant in her community; she was a religious education instructor at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Girl Scouts, served as camp counselor at Camp Courage and was active with the American Foreign Exchange Student Program, having sponsored a student. Recently, Jean was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary President of the 8th District. One of Jean's greatest joys in life came from working with the staff and students in the Mesabi East School District. For over 38 years, Jean poured her heart and soul into the district and wore numerous hats from bus driver to paraprofessional to para mentor. Jean was often the first to arrive at the school and one of the last to leave each day. Jean will be fondly remembered for her passion to keep patriotism alive in the schools as she played a key role in coordinating the annual Veteran's Day program at Mesabi East, as well as promoting programs such as Voice of Democracy, Patriot's Pen, and Flag Etiquette. Jean also demonstrated a deep love for fine arts and, as a speech/drama coach for the past several years, she built a reputable speech and drama program at Mesabi East, which included directing several plays and musicals as well as one-act plays. Jean worked with generations of families, and former students often came back to visit the lady who made a positive difference in their lives. As a paraprofessional, Jean had a gift for sensing students' unique needs, whether academic, social, or emotional and she was able to address them with perception and compassion. No child would go hungry on Jean's watch, and she was known to have a stash of snacks in her bottom desk drawer, which she called "brain food," for any child in need. Jean was also famous for effortlessly helping students whip together science fair projects in a moment's notice. Jean was feisty and strong with a heart of gold, and her tenacious spirit and contagious laughter will continue to live on through her legacy at the Mesabi East School District. On April 27, 2002 she married Earl “Butch” Scholar in Hoyt Lakes. They enjoyed spending time together camping, traveling, gardening and being outdoors. Survivors include her husband, Butch; Children: Jessie (Tom) Erickson of Grand Forks, Sandra (Chad) Fladeland of Thief River Falls, Ann (Chris) Vreeland of Hoyt Lakes, Nancy (Bobby) Fladeland of Thief River Falls, Ivone Canavilhas of Portugal, JoElle (Todd) Schnorr of Chisholm, Kenny (Kristy) Scholar of Biwabik; grandchildren: Kate, Reed, Hannah, Bo Henry, Autumn, Casey, Riley, Cody, Marissa, Sean and Samantha; three great grandchildren; sisters: Margaret, Lillian and Geri; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Nancy.