Jean Corrigan
Jean Corrigan, age 87, of Decorah died Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the Barthell O.E.S Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Decorah Tuesday, January 26 with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. Interment was at St. Benedict Cemetery, Decorah.
Jean was born August 30, 1933 to Leo and Frieda (Wendler) Mathis in Lansing. Jean went to country school in first grade with only two students in the class. She then went to Waterville School where she graduated in 1951.
Jean married Cyril Corrigan in 1953. They moved to Decorah to start their married life together. In 1956, Jean started working for Wapsi Produce for Carl Nichols. In 1967, she got her first electric typewriter and in 1985 she got her first computer, learning it all from the book, no training. In 1998, she got her first fax machine.
Jean continued working there for 50 years. She retired in 2006. She was very proud of winning the First Outstanding Secretary Award in 1974 made possible by Decorah Jaycees. In 1987, Jean won the Judd contest from a Nashville Country Station and got a free trip to California to the Country Music Awards and also won a brand-new Jeep pick-up.
In 1975, she and Cy bought an old schoolhouse and completely remodeled it and added on to it, making it into the Cottontail Ranch where they spent a lot of their free time. Jean enjoyed traveling and going on cruises over the years. She enjoyed organizing the cruises for their family and friends. Jean and Cy also enjoyed going to Florida for a couple weeks every year.
Surviving Jean is her sister, Lorraine Bangs of Marshalltown; her sisters-in-law, Jean Mathis of Waukon, Peg Corrigan of Cedar Rapids and Fern Corrigan of Cedar Rapids; her brothers-in-law, John (Lois) Corrigan, Pat Corrigan and Rich Corrigan; along with many nieces and nephews.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Cyril, in 2014; two premature infants sons; her parents, Leo and Frieda Mathis; her brothers, Vince Mathis and Bill (Helen) Mathis; her father- and mother-in-law, James and Rose Corrigan; her brothers-in-law and their wives, Charles (Eleanor), Michael (Laverle), Gerald (Ann), Wayne, Mark, Robert and James (Dee).
Casketbearers were Glen Mathis, Paul Mathis, Marc Nichols, Paul Nichols, Dale Wilharm, Todd Ihde and Ed Rink. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah handled arrangements.
