Obituaries
Jean Karen Druckenmiller
May 29, 1945 - January 30, 2024
Obituary For Jean Karen Druckenmiller
Madison - Jean K. Druckenmiller, 78, passed away on Jan. 30, 2024 at her home in Madison. She was born in Denver, Colorado to Karl Laidig and Clara (Dittavio) Laidig. She met her husband Stan while attending Colorado State University and married in 1966. They moved to Wisconsin with their son Patrick in 1968.
Jean began her career as a clinical microbiologist with UW Hospital. She later became an epidemiologist and infection disease preventionist with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. She served as Wisconsin’s first HIV/AIDS Surveillance Coordinator and later led the State’s surveillance system for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. She was a leader in infection control and awarded numerous accolades including the 1998 Friend of Wisconsin APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) Award. She also received Honorable Mention for Wisconsin’s Virginia Hart Award which recognizes women as “unsung heroines” in State service.
Jean had a life-long love of Nature, bird watching and spending time with family, friends and dogs at the cabin on Lake Superior. Jean was a longtime volunteer and board member of Madison Audubon Society where she focused on fundraising events including the annual bird seed sale and Art Fair’s silent auction. She was a great supporter of Goose Pond Sanctuary. Wisconsin Public Television benefited from her volunteering efforts for over four decades. She served as co-chair of the Art and Antiques Auction, worked on both Garden and Quilt Expos, pledge drives, and was honored as Volunteer of the Year. Jean also sang with Madison Symphony Chorus for 42 years.
She is survived by her son Patrick (Lisa) Druckenmiller, granddaughter Maggie, cousins Elaine Paulson and Maralyn Devlin, and aunt Jo Ann. She was preceded in death by her parents Karl and Clara, and husband Stan. Memorials can be made to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, Dane County Humane Society, or Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N Sherman Ave, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. A visitation will take place at the church from 10am until the time of service. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257
Services
Visitation
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 AM
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