Jean Margaret Creel slipped away peacefully on April  7, 2025, one week shy of her 92nd birthday. Born on April 14, 1933, Jean lived a life rich in family, faith, creativity, and hard‑earned wisdom gathered across three states and countless adventures.

Raised in Wisconsin, Jean later called Arizona and North Carolina home, greeting each new address with curiosity and her trademark resilience. For many years she worked shoulder‑to‑shoulder with her husband at their Gas and Service Stations, earning the affectionate nickname “Lean Jean the Bookkeeping Machine.”  Her meticulous ledgers and sweet personality kept the business humming and the employees and customers smiling.

Creativity colored Jean’s days. She spent two decades perfecting the Norwegian folk art of rosemaling, immersing herself in the heritage that so fascinated her. In later years she traded oils for watercolors, painting alongside her beloved sister Joan and discovering fresh joy in every brushstroke.

Jean was preceded in death by her husbands Billy Creel and Bobby Creel; her sister Joan Bertoni; her brother Donald Nellen; and her granddaughter Genevieve Cavella.

She leaves behind a devoted family who will carry her stories forward:

Children:

– Gail (Charles) Cavella
– Mark Creel (Shelly Nelson)
– Matthew (Mary) Creel
– Robin (Gary) Budzisz

Grandchildren & Great‑Grandchildren:
– Carrie (Kevin, Tyler) Matson
– Jessica (John, Cael, Keagan) Zelinski
– Jason (Sarah, Elliot, Emerson, Elora, Emina) Creel
– Kristopher Creel
– Anthony (Melanie) Cavella
– Chad (Kristin, Addison, Carson) Budzisz
– Kyle (Marta, Pablo, Isabella) Budzisz
– Callie (Jason, Leo, Calum, Finn, Rhys) Jarosch

In all, Jean was blessed with nine grandchildren and fifteen great‑grandchildren, each one a treasured brushstroke on the canvas of her life. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews who will miss her generous heart and kind soul.

Whether tallying columns in the gas station office, guiding a paintbrush across a wooden plate, or recounting family lore over coffee, Jean brought precision, patience, and a sparkle of joy to everything she touched. Her legacy is one of steadfast love, creative curiosity, and the quiet confidence that comes from a lifetime of meeting change with grace.

Thank you very much to the staff of Azura of Brookfield, and St Croix Hospice for your exceptional care and devotion to our Mother during her time with you. In memory of our beloved Mother, a burial will be held on May 1st at Valhalla Memorial Park, 5402 North 91st Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 11:30 AM outside at gravesite of both our mother and father. Private celebration of life to follow.

A Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says,
“Grieve not for me.

Remember the best times,
the laughter, the song.

The good life I lived
while I was strong.

Continue my heritage,
I’m counting on you.                                             

Keep smiling and surely
the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease,
my soul is at rest.

Remembering all,
how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions,
no matter how small.

Go on with your life,
don’t worry about falls.

I miss you all dearly,
so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes
we’re together again.”