Jean M. Covers, age 63, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at home on November 19, 2024, surrounded by family, after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

She is survived by her husband, James (Jim) T. Covers; her three children, James Covers Jr. (Nicole Hooper), Kelly (Tyler) Breunig, and Katey (Dustin) Bittner; and her six grandchildren, Ryder, Tenley, and Piper Breunig, and Camden, Hudson, and Madden Bittner. Jean is also survived by her sisters, Shirlee (Byron) Lewis, Julie (Jeff) Balch, Michele (Brian) Bertrand, and Susan Goelz. As well as her father-in-law, Edward Covers and brothers-in-law, Ken (Chip Cheatham) Covers, Bill (Kathy) Covers, Bob (Wendy) Covers, Ron (Carla) Covers, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Lee Ann Goelz, and her mother-in-law, Joan (Carol) Covers.

Jean was born on August 2, 1961, in Minneapolis, MN, to the late Michael and Lee Ann (Larson) Goelz, the fourth of five sisters. Jean attended school in Ohio and Illinois before moving to the Sauk Prairie area during her senior year and graduating from Sauk Prairie High School in 1979. While living in Illinois, Jean met her soulmate, Jim Covers, at a high school party. Jean and Jim were married on July 18,1981 and enjoyed 43 wonderful years of marriage together.

Jean and Jim built a home in Wauconda, Illinois, where Jean contributed to their family business, Covers Landscaping, while also being a devoted full-time mother. Jean and Jim moved into the Sauk Prairie area in 1998 when they became owners of Bobcat of Madison. Jean had a zest for life and is known for her infectious laughter, warm smile, and gentle spirit. She was always up for an adventure, and she loved traveling; especially cruising with family and friends, as well as the many escapades enjoyed on her yearly "sister trips". Besides her family, her favorite travel companions were Mark and Camie Kwasigroch, whom she went on about 30 vacations with over the years. In addition to traveling, Jean and Jim enjoyed antiquing and attending gas and oil shows

Above all, Jean's greatest joy was being a grandmother to her six grandchildren. She loved partaking in fun activities and creating as many memories with them as she could, especially at the family lake house, where they enjoyed boating, paddleboarding, and swimming together. Jean also loved spending time with friends at the Dorf Haus in Roxbury, where laughter and good times were always in abundance.

An advocate for elephants, Jean visited the Endangered Ark Foundation in October 2024, spending two days with the elephants she loved. Jean was strong, courageous, and relentless in her battle with pancreatic cancer, participating in cancer research at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. She braved her many cancer treatments, never complaining and always with a smile on her beautiful face. She touched the lives of many, and her presence will be deeply missed in the community she cherished. Jean's kindness, strength, and love will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at St. Norbert's Catholic Church, 8944 County Hwy Y, Sauk City, WI, on Monday, December 2nd at 10:30am, with Father James Kotch officiating. A celebration of life will follow at the Dorf Haus Supper Club, 8931 County Hwy Y, Sauk City, WI 53583 from 12:00pm – 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Norbert's Catholic Church or to support the elephants at the Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, Oklahoma.