Jean Marie Kirchhofer

Jean Marie Kirchhofer’s life began on a cold day March 25, 1927. She was born to Albert and Marjorie (Harris) Kirchhofer. She passed away at Swiss Village on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at age 93 one week shy of her 94 ^th birthday.

Jean began her career as a cashier and later worked exclusively as a cashier in the Loan Department at the First Bank of Berne. She worked at the bank for 47 years and dearly enjoyed all her patrons. She retired on December 31, 1992.

Jean valued her friendships and her family. She gave back to the community and First Mennonite Church. Jean taught elementary Sunday school for 25 years and was the first woman Sunday school secretary. She was a leader of Youth Mission Band and treasurer of the Women’s Mission Society. Jean loved music and was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Mennonite Choral Society. She was treasurer of the South Adams Arts Council and secretary of the Berne Celebration of the Nation’s Bi- Centennial.

Jean LOVED children! Her niece and nephews loved her dearly, as did generations of children throughout her life. We will miss her and cherish all the happy memories. If you knew Jean you would know she was so proud of her niece and nephews and continued to love her great grandnieces and grandnephews. She would tell you stories of them every time you saw her.

Her loving family includes her sister, Cynthia (Ron) Krehbiel of Hesston, KS; niece, Deborah (George) Lehman of Harrisonburg, VA; niece-in-law, Rhonda Krehbiel of Gardner, KS and children, Chris, Sam, Courtney and Amanda; nephews, Thomas (Susan) Krehbiel of Goessel, KS and their children Katherine and Jennifer; John (Rita) Krehbiel of Ottawa, KS and children, Joshua and Caleb; James (Julie) Krehbiel of Hesston, KS and children, Halle and Jamie; cousins, John Kirchhofer of Berne, Indiana and children, Laura and Tim; Swid Kirchhofer of Detroit, MI.

She was preceded in death by parents Albert and Marjorie Kirchhofer; nephew, Tim Krehbiel; cousin, Tom Kirchhofer and cousin-in-law Rose Kirchhofer.

Due to COVID her family will have a private celebration of her life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of Swiss Village and the Music Department of First Mennonite Church in Berne, IN.

The family expresses its gratitude to the wonderful staff of Swiss Village for the loving care they gave her.