Jean E. Kotchman

Jean E. Kotchman, age 61, of Cavalier, ND died peacefully Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at home, as was her lifelong wish, surrounded by her family, friends, and pets. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at the Vikur Lutheran Church, Mountain, ND. Arrangements with Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND.
Jean E. (Kauppila) Kotchman was born August 20, 1945, in Virginia, MN to Helmer and Esther (Anderson) Kauppila.
She attended Mountain Iron Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1963. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN in 1967. Jean then attended North Dakota State University where she was a fellow in Entomology and received her Master's degree in 1970.
On July 5, 1968, she married Michael W. (Skip) Kotchman at Mountain Iron, MN. They lived in San Antonio, TX where Jean taught high school biology. She lived in Fargo and taught labs at North Dakota State University while Skip was in Vietnam.
Seven different contractors at the Cavalier Air Force Station employed Jean over a period of 33 years, where she worked in several different capacities. She was currently employed as the Environmental/Health/Safety Administrator.
Jean had a passion for the environment, her family and friends. She loved the outdoors, knitting, reading, and traveling the back roads of her native Minnesota.
She is survived by her husband, Skip; daughter, Margaux, son-in-law Shawn Lindsay, and grandchildren, Carsen and Meris all of Cavalier; brother, John (Susan Krause) Kauppila, Tower, MN; sisters, Alice (Larry) Kotchman, Bottineau, ND and Joyce (Hans) Hansen, Mt. Iron, MN; nieces, Sara (Todd) Morrell, Forest Lake, MN and Katie Kotchman (Noah Charlap) New York City, NY; nephews, Scott (Krista) Newcomb, Forest Lake, MN; Paul Knutson, Mt. Iron, MN; and Brent Kotchman (Emily Erickson) Fargo, ND; great nieces, Peyton Morrell and Paige Newcomb; great nephew, Ramsey Morrell.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Kathleen Kauppila.
Memorials are preferred to the Kidney Cancer Association.
Clergy: Rev. Paul Guldseth.
Music: Suzanne Larson, Organist and Duane Jonasson, Soloist.