Jean (Borde) Staveness, age 77, of Rio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at UW Hospital in Madison, after bravely facing a series of health challenges in recent months.

Jean was born on September 15, 1949, the oldest of seven children of Wilmer and Elizabeth Borde. Growing up on the family farm, she helped her mom care for her younger siblings and pitched in with the farm work. She learned her work ethic from both her parents and got the best of both worlds: she could be compassionate and caring when someone needed it, and a rock of strength and resilience when life demanded it.

Jean and Larry were high school sweethearts at Rio High School. They were married on May 18, 1968, and started their family young. Together they built their own home, the house they have lived in for more than 50 years. They understood and loved each other and devoted themselves to one another, standing by each other through the good times and the hard ones. They were partners in every sense of the word.

Jean began her career as an administrative assistant at Ronald Maddox and Associates. Along the way, she also made it through one shift at Rhodes Bakery in Fall River, and then never again! She spent most of her working life at American Family Insurance, where she served as Administrative Assistant to several CEOs and presidents over the years. Through decades of leadership changes, she was the one constant. In retirement, she stayed busy outdoors. Jean helped at the strawberry patches at Roger Price Produce in Pardeeville and worked at Tim’s Greenhouse, planting and caring for all kinds of vegetables. But she loved being a mom to Lora and David, a grandmother to Kayla, and Larry’s partner in life most of all.

Jean was deeply involved in Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rio. She taught Sunday School, chaired the Education Committee, and served on the Church Council, eventually becoming its president. She was a devoted member who gave her time and talents wherever they were needed during her children’s most formative years. She was also a member of the Deborah Circle and joined other church circles over the years, truly enjoying those gatherings.

Jean loved her family above all else. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children and loved them deeply. Her favorite times were weekend family dinners when everyone could be around the table. She looked forward to her son David stopping by at least once or twice a day to check in or share a cup of coffee and a chat, and she often caught herself laughing at his quick-witted, sometimes sarcastic sense of humor. Jean was proud of her daughter Lora’s 34 years of teaching and coaching basketball at Edgewood High School, and she attended or watched more games than anyone could count.

Her eyes lit up every time she got to be with her granddaughter, Kayla. Jean was one of Kayla’s biggest fans, cheering her on through high school and Madison College basketball, and she always loved hearing about her day. The little day trips they took together while Kayla was growing up were memories she treasured.

Jean loved traveling with her family, whether it was a camper road trip out West, drives to Florida and Canada, or flights to Washington, D.C., and New York. She made sure every trip was educational, fun, and full of memories.

Jean had a magic touch in the kitchen, and she enjoyed passing her dishes and desserts on to the next generation. She was also a gifted canner, filling the shelves with homemade sauces and more. She was also known for thoroughly spoiling the family dog, Scout, and Smokey the cat.

Jean absolutely loved her flower gardens, and flowers of every kind. She enjoyed working puzzles and playing board games with family and friends, and in her earlier years she took up rosemaling. She loved standing at the window watching storms roll in across the fields, a Tom and Jerry on a cold winter day, a Friday fish fry with a brandy old fashioned sweet, and a good cooking show. And on a hot summer day, you could find her sitting in the pool.

Like many of her generation, Jean was a collector. It started with bells of every shape and size, moved on to pink glass specialty pieces, and most recently became anything with a rooster on it.

Jean loved decorating for every holiday, but Christmas was clearly her favorite, judging by the decorations stored in rooms all over the house. She especially treasured the wreaths and crafts her daughter-in-law, Serena, made for her for each holiday. Christmas meant her famous fondue dinner, think the Melting Pot on steroids, only not nearly as expensive. She was always up for a big extended family gathering over the holidays, and she never needed much of a reason to put out the call and have her siblings and their families over for dinner.

Jean had a big heart and always thought of others, ready to help anyone who needed it. She loved getting together with her cousins, classmates, and friends for breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, and the laughs shared around those tables were some of her best times. She was also a member of a local Homemakers Club. She especially treasured trips with her sister Nancy and her cousins Kris and Kathy. The four shared a special bond and stayed in constant touch, even as life got busier with kids and grandkids. In earlier years, she and Larry also spent many happy Euchre nights with their circle of couple friends.

Jean is survived by her husband of 58 years, Larry; her daughter, Lora Staveness; her son, David (Serena) Staveness; her granddaughter, Kayla Staveness; her siblings, Nancy (Paul) Bernander, Dennis (Sharon) Borde, Alan (Patti Jo) Borde, Jon (Melissa) Borde and Neil (Doreen) Borde; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and cousins; and her beloved Scout and Smokey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilmer and Elizabeth Borde, and her sister, Patricia (Borde) Halpin.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Otsego Town Hall, W3199 State Highway 16, Rio.

The family thanks the many family members and friends who supported Jean during this challenging time. A special thank you goes to her sister Nancy, who was a constant presence, driving her to her many doctor appointments and sitting with her in the hospital. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at UnityPoint and UW Hospitals who cared for Jean.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Jean’s family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com