Jeanne Marie Gant

Jean Marie (Ness) Gant age 95 of New Glarus passed away August 21, 2026 at home surrounded by family. She was born on December 19, 1930 in Monroe Hospital to her parents Mons Isaac and Mabel Eleanora (Bliesner) Ness. Jean graduated from New Glarus High School in 1948 and was united in marriage with James Charles Gant on February 14, 1952 at the Primrose Lutheran Church.

Jeanne loved to sing and was a member of many choral groups and choirs. When her family relocated to Washington state during WWII she performed at numerous United Service Organizations (USO). Throughout her life she sang in Lutheran choirs and was choir director at Calvary Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI. For many years she played the organ for Primrose Lutheran Church and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Jeanne loved flower gardens and wildflowers and was a voracious reader, reading everything from histories to mysteries. She enjoyed English literature and British television series, was a life-long learner taking numerous adult education courses that included German language, pottery, and painting, and she was an avid knitter. She owned a small business in New Glarus known as Jeknits, sold knitting machines, and was a knitting instructor. She knit countless baby booties, baptismal outfits, dolls, scarves, sock caps, sweaters, Christmas stockings, and afghans, generously donating to worthy causes or freely giving her creations as gifts. Jeanne loved her Norwegian heritage and was honored to be invited to knit a pair of traditional Norwegian socks for display in Little Norway, Mount Horeb.

Perhaps her greatest pleasure was to settle in among family and friends and as the Norwegians used to say, "Shake the hand and laugh a little," which for her meant an exchange of story-telling, a good cup of coffee, and a cookie. Her last words to us were, "It's good to have kids."

Jean is survived by her son James Jay and daughter-in-law Beth Ellen (Tronnes) Gant; son David Mons Gant; daughter Laurie Jean Gant; grandson James Jayson Mons and granddaughter-in-law Elizabeth Ann Branney-Gant; granddaughters Erin Joy Gant and Jill Marie Gant; great grandchildren Audrey Marie, James Owen, Ava Jean, Emma Elizabeth Denise, and Patrick Jayson Mons Gant.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister Ruth Marion Ness, and brother Halvor Bliesner "Bud" Ness.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 506 12th Ave., New Glarus, WI with Pastor Erich Hartenberger officiating. Inurnment of Jeanne's and Jim's cremains will follow at the West Primrose Cemetery, rural Belleville.

A gathering of relatives and friends will precede the memorial service from 10:30 a.m. until time of services on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in New Glarus.

The Zentner-Beal Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.