Jean Louise Lurtsema

Jean Louise Lurtsema

February 13, 1941 – September 15, 2026

Jean Louise Lurtsema, 85, passed away September 15, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida.

She was born February 13, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, and lived a long life filled with travel, adventure, work, family, and more than a few changes of direction.

Jean spent many happy years in Alaska. She was a successful businesswoman, fiercely independent, and apparently never got the memo that retirement was supposed to begin at 65. She continued working well into her late seventies.

Faith also became an important part of her life. In 2001, Jean converted to Catholicism, a decision she made as an adult and one that remained meaningful to her for the rest of her life.

Eventually she left Alaska and retired to Arizona. In the final chapter of her life, she moved to Navarre, Florida, to be closer to family.

Jean had three children: Mark Lurtsema of Palmer, Alaska; Daniel Lurtsema of Cloudcroft, New Mexico; and Jeannie Carter of Navarre, Florida. She also leaves nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.

Eighty-five years is a lot of life. She saw a lot, went a lot of places, worked hard, had adventures, changed and grew, and lived long enough to see her family extend through four generations.

There are things about a person’s life that an obituary can never really capture. A mother is more than a list of dates, places, jobs, and descendants. She becomes part of the people she raised and the generations that came after them.

My mom lived a good life.

She was deeply loved.

And she is already deeply missed.