Jean Young

Jean Marie (Stoffel) Young, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026 surrounded by the love she so freely gave throughout her life.

Jean was born on December 2, 1936, in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. From an early age, her love of learning was unmistakable. One family story often shared was the day four year old Jean decided she was ready for kindergarten and simply walked herself to the elementary school. Education and determination would shape the rest of her life.

Jean graduated as valedictorian of Richland Center High School in 1954 and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison from 1954 to 1958, earning her degree in education. While at the university, she was first chair flute in the concert band, where she met the love of her life, Raymond C. Young. Their shared love of music blossomed into a lifelong partnership. Jean and Ray were married on August 26, 1961, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison.

Jean began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Dudgeon Elementary School in Madison, faithfully teaching from 1958 to 1964. Her gentle spirit and natural love for children made her perfectly suited for the classroom. During those early years of marriage, Jean’s modest teaching salary helped support Ray as he completed his MBA.

Over the years, Jean and Ray made homes in Mt. Prospect, Illinois; Neenah, Manitowoc, and Brookfield, Wisconsin; Duluth, Minnesota; and later Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights, Illinois, before eventually retiring to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, always building community and lasting friendships wherever they lived.

While raising her family, Jean remained deeply involved in her children’s schools, church life, and community organizations. During their time in Duluth, she played an instrumental role in helping establish the Early Childhood Family Education program at the College of St. Scholastica, one of the early pilot programs in Minnesota that became a national model for parent education and family support.

After returning to Illinois, Jean discovered a new calling in the library at Pritchett Elementary School. What began as work as a library aide grew into a true vocation. She earned her Master of Library Science degree from Rosary College, now Dominican University, and went on to serve as the beloved librarian at Pritchett Elementary for many years, nurturing in children the same love of reading that had shaped her own life.

Jean was a woman of deep faith whose life reflected kindness, steadiness, and unconditional love. She was active in PEO, book clubs, her church, and numerous volunteer efforts. She loved people well and made everyone feel welcome.

At home, Jean expressed her love through creativity and care. She was an excellent cook and baker, a gifted seamstress and tailor who lovingly made clothing for her family and altered Ray’s suits through the changing styles of the years. Music also remained a lifelong joy. She played piano from a young age and performed flute and piccolo in both concert and marching bands during her school years.

In retirement, Jean and Ray built their dream home along the shores of Lake Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There they created countless treasured memories hosting holidays, summer gatherings, and Midsummer’s Music classical concerts in their home. Jean especially enjoyed time with family, participating in book clubs, biking the peninsula, and continuing her faithful involvement in PEO.

More than anything, Jean will be remembered for the way she loved. She always had time to listen, to encourage, and to offer a steady, caring presence to her children, their friends, and all who crossed her path.

Jean is lovingly survived by her loving husband, Ray Young; dear sister in law, Ruth (Ron) Marcotte; children, Kathy Young (Durwin Long), Sue (Tom) Campbell, and Jeff (Tina) Young; grandchildren, Karl Fluegel, Larissa (Brendan) O'Donoghue, Jack (Alyssa) Campbell, Eric Campbell, Anna Young, Emily Young, and Brian Young; great grandson, Ezra Campbell; and nephews, Ryan (Kelly) Marcotte and Randy (Jaime) Marcotte.

She was preceded in death by her infant sister, Shirley Stoffel, and her parents, John Stoffel and Edna Bohn Stoffel.

Jean’s legacy of faith, learning, music, and unconditional love will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jean's name to the following places that were dear to Jean's heart: 

Door County Public Library, 107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.

Or, Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter EI/WI. Send check to Jan Campbell, Treasurer, 1829 Memorial Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Or online to the national chapter website at www.peointernational.org