Jean Wetter Bornhop

Jean Wetter Bornhop (nee Wetter), of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024, at the age of 73. Beloved wife of Gerald “Jerry” H. Bornhop; cherished daughter of the late Norbert “Buzz” and Florence “Flo” Wetter (née Messner). Dear sister of Steven (Patricia) Wetter, Mark Wetter, Barbara (Terry) Gates, Lesa (Nicholas) Smith. Devoted stepmother of Cindy (David) Hults, Michael Bornhop, and Eric Bornhop. Sister-in-law of Gale (JD) Evans and Leroy Bornhop. Loving aunt of David (Uma) Wetter and Lesley (Daniel) Clark; beloved great-aunt of Nisha, Simon, and Nadia Wetter, and Carter and Jackson Clark. Also, many cousins and dear friends. Preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Richard (the late Missie) Bornhop, and Norbert Bornhop.

Jean was born and grew up in St. Charles with her dear parents, four close siblings, and a gaggle of close cousins and neighbors. They shared many holidays and adventures and gathered for special events, or for no reason at all. No one remembers the origin, but her siblings fondly dubbed her Jeanie Beanie.

She attended Saint Peter‘s Grade School, then Duchesne High School, where she was involved in many organizations and clubs, and formed lifelong friendships with her ‘DHS Girls’ group. She graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1969 and received a scholarship to Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, KS (now Benedictine College,) where she graduated with honors with a BA in English Education. 

Jean was a member of both St. Peter and St. Cletus Parishes, as well as a frequent volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry at St. Peter’s. Her spirit of giving was evident in the many years spent taking care of her mother and elderly relatives. 

She had a lengthy career with the Social Security administration, as an SSI claims and benefits specialist. Her English degree was beneficial when she was selected to provide training to new employees in St. Louis and Kansas City, which she enjoyed tremendously. An early retirement offer, at age 50, allowed her more time to meet one of her life’s goals — to travel to all 50 States. 

She planned weeks-long trips in the family’s Dodge Ram van, with various combinations of her parents, aunt, uncle, siblings, and beloved nephew and niece, David and Lesley. She delighted in spreading out her maps and her AAA Trip Planner books, creating extensive itineraries that included famous (and sometimes obscure) points of interest. David recalls the quest to see “The Giant Pheasant” which turned out to be a concrete pheasant—on top of a liquor store—in some random small town. Lesley still laughs every time she drives through Illinois, thinking about their visit to the Mother Jones monument in Mt. Olive. 

In addition to the fifty states, she traveled to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, England, Ireland, Germany, several other European destinations, Hong Kong, and Beijing. She enjoyed going on cruises and her favorites were Alaska and Hawaii. 

A casual conversation at her 35th DHS class reunion resulted in a first date, and a few years later, marriage to her dear Jerry, on February 9, 2007. Jean welcomed Cindy, Mike, and Eric as her newly-expanded family. Jean and Jerry shared many of the same interests: traveling, dining out, football Sundays, socializing with friends and family, holidays (especially Christmas), and laughter - lots of laughter! Jerry recently commented, with a twinkle in his eye and his famous booming laugh, “Jean always laughed at my jokes! And I always laughed at hers!”

Their deep devotion to each other became even more evident as Jean developed struggles with diabetes and dialysis, with several long hospitalizations. With his help, Jean maintained a positive attitude, as Jerry lovingly provided ever-increasing care at home. As complications recently escalated, he was by her side for days at the hospital. He and Jean’s siblings were with her as she peacefully passed away, finally free from pain, and at rest. 

Jean had a life well-lived, and well-loved. We will always miss our Jeanie Beanie Bornhop.

Memorials may be made in Jean's name to St. Vincent de Paul - St. Peter’s Parish, St Charles MO, or to Duchesne High School.