Jean T. Shipman was born August 7, 1940, in Parkston, South Dakota, the daughter of Peter J. and Clara (Ebersdorfer) Mayer.
Jean grew up on a farm near Dimock, South Dakota, and was baptized and confirmed at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Dimock.
She was united in marriage at Holy Trinity Church to Roger Shipman on April 24, 1976, in Paola Kansas.
Jean died Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, at Hospice House, Olathe, Kansas.
Jean is survived by her husband Roger of 48 years, son Peter one granddaughter, Scout Shipman, Lawrence KS. Stepdaughter Rhonda Amos (Ron) of Peculiar, MO step granddaughter, Gillian Amos, step-grandson Henry Amos and Stepson David Shipman (Jennifer) Nashville TN. Brothers, Edmund, Daniel (Shirley) of Mitchell, SD, Sisters Florence Rokusek of Freeman, SD and Sister Janice Mayer of Yankton, SD.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, four sisters, Regina Ven Osdel Parker, Delores Hafner, Adeline Heisinger, Sherry Novacek, brothers James, Harvey, Peter, Louis, Bill.
Jean attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School till the eighth grade whereupon she had to start working. She began her working career in child care by babysitting for neighborhood children till she was sixteen. Jean started working at the St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston SD. She worked there till 1964, she followed her twin sister into the religious life, becoming a nun.
Jean joined the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton SD. In Yankton Jean continued her education, received her GED, attended Mount Marty University and the University of South Dakota at Vermillion SD. She then went on Mission at Saint Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain SD. At St. Joseph Jean worked in the kitchen and was a house mother to scores of young Indian girls.
Upon leaving the order in1973 she applied for a position with “Lakemary Center” in Paola. Jean was manager of C residence till her retirement in 2005.
While at Lakemary she achieved many awards including a “Direct Care Worker Award”, from the National Association of Private Special Education Centers at their convention at Marko Island FL in 2004. The award read, For demonstrating a com-mitment “above and beyond” in service to individuals with special needs.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Miami County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son-Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, KS 66071.
