Jean Nutzman

Jean was born in St. Paul, MN on July 14, 1938 to Charles and Vila (Dayhuff) Miller. Charles worked for Hamm's Brewery and Vila worked for the American Hoist. Jean was the fourth child out of five. She grew up with two brothers, Charles "Duke" and Raymond and two sisters Verna "Bub" and Geraldine. She was raised in various parts of St. Paul and attended Monroe High School. 

Jean had fallen in love twice in her life and had four children. She was married to Thomas Gruntner from 1956 to 1963. They had two daughters, Kitty and Debbie. Jean was married to Richard "Dick" Nutzman in 1965 until his death in 2023. They also had two daughters, Barbie and Annie. 

Jean enjoyed the variety of work she did throughout her life gaining experiences in different positions at Snyder Brother's Drugstore (60s), Taystee Bakery (70s), Scholl Packaging (80s), and Cub Foods (90s). She said the fun work was when she played bass guitar in Dick's band "Country Trio Plus One" after he coaxed her out of her stage-fright to join them on weekend gigs and special events.

Jean was an animal lover. Her and Dick had three poodles, three German shepards and one Bassett hound, as well as four cats throughout their marriage. She donated, as well as adopted from the Animal Humane Society due to the affection she had for many of her childhood pets which included dogs, cats, ferrets, as well as a very special horse named Laddie.

Jean belonged to multiple bowling leagues which included her mother, Vila, aunt Verna (Vila's twin), aunt Luella, sister Bub, and cousin Joyce as well as a couple of leagues her and Dick were on. She also enjoyed many crafts and hobbies such as; liquid painting with Tri-Chem, crocheting, cross-stiching, calligraphy, and candy making. She was a talented cake baker and decorator which were enjoyed by all who attended the weddings, birthdays, work events, and other special occasions. She loved watching detective mysteries, playing Bingo as well as the slot machines at the casinos.

When Jean was younger, she enjoyed listening to Westerns on the radio as well as watching them on TV. She was very pleased that her and Dick were able to build their retirement house in Mesa, Arizona with a view of the Superstition Mountains from their front patio....where many of those westerns were filmed. The “dry heat” and “low humidity” were very soothing on their joints where they could get out and do more daily activities such as walking, biking, and swimming. They enjoyed their 19+ years of retirement together going on bus trips to many places in the state as well as cruises to Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Panama with their neighbors and friends. They had a lot of fun on the Nutzman vacations with Dick's brothers to Washington DC, Niagara Falls, as well as an Alaskan Cruise.

Jean died on June 16, 2024 (Father's Day) surrounded by her three daughters. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dick of 57 years; baby daughter, Ann; parents, Charlie and Vila; siblings, Duke, Bub, Ray, and Geri; as well as son-in-law, David Kurz. Jean is survived by her feline princess, Ginger (Yin-Yin), daughters; Katherine (Richard) Hughes, Deborah Kurz, Barbara (Brad) Gabrick; granddaughter, Melissa Lincoln; grandsons; James Kurz, David Kurz, Jr., Thomas (Chantel) Hughes, Mark (Ashley) Kurz; four great-granddaughters, six great-grandsons, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jean was a wonderful lady who will always be LOVED and MISSED by family and friends because of her "dry and sassy" sense of humor, contagious laughter, and most of all…her loving, kind, and generous heart. We were all very BLESSED that she was a very big part of our lives.

Obituary as published in St. Paul Pioneer Press- July 14, 2024

NUTZMAN, Jean Helen (Miller)

July 14, 1938--June 16, 2024

Age 85, of Hugo, MN. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Richard "Dick" Nutzman. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. Celebration of Life service and luncheon will be Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 11AM with visitation one hour prior. Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110