Obituary for Jean Martha Feitshans (Heim)
Jean Feitshans, née Heim, departed this life on Monday, December 20, 2021. She was 91. She resided in Houston County, Georgia. She is survived by two sons, Stephen, also a resident of Houston County, and Theodore (Ted), of Raleigh, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard Feitshans, and her parents, Howard J. Heim, and Gretchen Heim, née Sprecher.
As one of Stephen’s fellow Rotarian said when told her death, “She was one spunky woman!” And that she was! But she always surprised and amazed me with her vibrant intellect and her love and knowledge of plant life (she held a master’s degree in plant physiology from Purdue… graduating top in her class!). She would probably fuss at us for sharing that, since she never was one to promote herself.
After receiving her master’s degree, she worked for Charles “Boss” Kettering in his laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. The research in which Jean was engaged was on the use of algae as a food source for the world’s growing population. After her marriage to Richard, she joined him at the residence on his farm near Greenville, Ohio. In 1960, she helped Richard and two outside investors with establishing Mossy Creek Farms, a few miles north of Perry, Georgia. She was able to apply her training in plant physiology to great benefit in their farming operation. She also taught at Perry High School for a semester or two.
Yet Jean was so much more than that. She devoted her life to being a good wife to her husband Richard, and to being the mother of Stephen and Ted. She followed her love of nature by continuing to be a student of God’s beautiful creation and by promoting it through her involvement with the American Camellia Society and other organizations. Her yard around her house is full of all varieties of unique plant life!
And she had that special quality of wisdom… not just knowledge… and she would gently share that wisdom when she felt it might be helpful, as she has on several occasions with her sons, and many others. She will be greatly missed…
Arrangements for a memorial have not been completed at this writing, but Stephen has indicated to me that they want to get pass the Holidays, and this recent upsurge of COVID infections, and perhaps do something in March. Her cremated remains will be interred in the Heim Cemetery in Dawson, Nebraska, beside those of her husband, Richard, and adjacent to the graves of her parents.
Please remember family in your thoughts and prayers. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jean’s name to the American Camellia Society.
As one of Stephen’s fellow Rotarian said when told her death, “She was one spunky woman!” And that she was! But she always surprised and amazed me with her vibrant intellect and her love and knowledge of plant life (she held a master’s degree in plant physiology from Purdue… graduating top in her class!). She would probably fuss at us for sharing that, since she never was one to promote herself.
After receiving her master’s degree, she worked for Charles “Boss” Kettering in his laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. The research in which Jean was engaged was on the use of algae as a food source for the world’s growing population. After her marriage to Richard, she joined him at the residence on his farm near Greenville, Ohio. In 1960, she helped Richard and two outside investors with establishing Mossy Creek Farms, a few miles north of Perry, Georgia. She was able to apply her training in plant physiology to great benefit in their farming operation. She also taught at Perry High School for a semester or two.
Yet Jean was so much more than that. She devoted her life to being a good wife to her husband Richard, and to being the mother of Stephen and Ted. She followed her love of nature by continuing to be a student of God’s beautiful creation and by promoting it through her involvement with the American Camellia Society and other organizations. Her yard around her house is full of all varieties of unique plant life!
And she had that special quality of wisdom… not just knowledge… and she would gently share that wisdom when she felt it might be helpful, as she has on several occasions with her sons, and many others. She will be greatly missed…
Arrangements for a memorial have not been completed at this writing, but Stephen has indicated to me that they want to get pass the Holidays, and this recent upsurge of COVID infections, and perhaps do something in March. Her cremated remains will be interred in the Heim Cemetery in Dawson, Nebraska, beside those of her husband, Richard, and adjacent to the graves of her parents.
Please remember family in your thoughts and prayers. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jean’s name to the American Camellia Society.