Jeanne Kathryn Zehms, 91, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire with her family at her side.\r\nJeanne was born on May 6, 1919, to Myrl and Lily Fleury in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She graduated from Central High School in 1937 and attended business college for two years. At the beginning of World War II she trained to become a nurse's aid and was stationed at Army and Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, through the end of the war.\r\nWhile appearing as a bathing beauty (Miss New Jersey) in the Sheboygan Community Players production of "Of Thee I Sing," she was introduced to her future husband, Carl Zehms, an enthusiastic audience member. They were married September 29, 1951.\r\nJeanne was a dedicated volunteer in every community she resided. In Sheboygan she served as PTA President, and was active as a deacon and a Board Member of the First Congregational Church. In 1968 she formed a committee to establish a Receiving Home for Children in Need. Ultimately two homes resulted, a Group Home for Boys and Group Home for Girls. She also served two terms as President of the Family Service Association.\r\nOn retiring to Green Valley, Arizona, she worked as a volunteer at the Titan II Missile Museum, served as a reading aide at the Continental School, and provided a substantial donation to establish a permanent endowment fund for the Continental School District Education Foundation.\r\nIn Eau Claire, Jeanne volunteered at the Sunnyview School at the Chippewa Valley Museum and as the "Cookie Lady" at RCU Bank. At Realife Cooperative, where she resided, she established a weekly coffee hour and was involved on the gardening, craft and library committees.\r\nJeanne was devoted to her family and friends. She loved to bake and was known for the 25 kinds of Christmas Cookies that she baked every year. She enjoyed gardening and especially loved the desert landscape. Knitting was a passion of hers and she gifted many people with beautiful mittens, scarves and sweaters. She loved coffee, chocolate and a good conversation. Jeanne's independent nature and adventurous spirit will be greatly missed.\r\nShe is survived by three sons, Craig Zehms of New York City, Keith (Deb) Zehms of Eau Claire and David Zehms (and partner Prof. Ian Shaw) of Christchurch, New Zealand. She is further survived by a grandson, Sam Zehms; and a granddaughter, Hannah Zehms; as well as nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Zehms; her parents; and her brothers, Robert and Carl Fleury.\r\nA memorial service to celebrate her life will he held on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 2010 Moholt Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54703. A ragtime piano concert by Jim Radloff will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Plymouth United Church of Christ.

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