Jean Ellen (Kaiser) Prochnow was born January 15, 1936 in Peru, Indiana, the daughter of Edward Julius Almond Kaiser and Emma Otillia (Wendt) Kaiser. Jean was baptized February 16, 1936 and confirmed April 2, 1950, both at St. John Lutheran Church in Peru, Indiana. She graduated from high school in Peru; attended four years of college and received her bachelor's degree from Concordia River Forest. Jean's first teaching position was at Concordia High School in Seward where she also served as Dean of Women for a period of time. On June 5, 1960, Jean was united in marriage to Eugene Albert Prochnow in Peru, Indiana; their marriage was blessed with one son, Michael. Jean continued her teaching career at St. John Lutheran School teaching home economics, history, health and physical education. She also served as a coach for girl's track, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.     Her career encompassed over 40 years and then an additional four years of volunteer part-time teaching.

Jean was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward where she served on multiple committees; she was also a member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She served on the Board of Directors of Camp Luther, near Schuyler.   Jean's community involvement included membership in the League of Women Voters, Seward Junior Women's Club, Seward 4th of July Committee, Seward Bowling League, Women's Seward Golf Team, Red Hat Society and volunteering for the Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival at Concordia. Jean was selected as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year and received the Seward County Community Seward Award in 1999.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Emma Kaiser and her husband, Eugene "Bud" Prochnow in 1983.

Survivors cherishing Jean's memory include her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Cami Prochnow, Seward; grandchildren, Morgan Prochnow and Chase Prochnow; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Jim Fichtner, Florida; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Elaine Bauer, Seward and Joanne and Ben Marxhausen, Lincoln; and a host of friends and former students.

The time Jean spent with her grandchildren, Morgan and Chase, brought her cherished memories. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Jean.