Jean Tews

Jean Tews (Kring) passed away at home on November 7, 2023.   Jean was born in 1928 in Ogdensburg NY to Joseph and Helen Kring (Collins).  Jean graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1949 and received her doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1954.  She lived in Madison for the rest of her life, where she spent most of her career as a research scientist in the UW Biochemistry Department.   Jean retired in 1990 as a Senior Scientist (emerita).  She had numerous publications in the fields of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Physiology.

Jean married John Veeder Tews on April 7, 1956, whom she met under the mistletoe in 1953. By 1964 they had built their dream home on Lake Mendota Drive, where they lived until moving to Oakwood in 2006.  Daughter Anne (Bill Gardner) joined them in 1959.  Jean is survived by her daughter, two grandchildren, Glen and Brooke Gardner, and one sibling, Elsie Bull.  All of Montana. Her husband and her parents preceded her in death.

Jean loved to travel with John.  They visited all 50 states and many European, South American and Central American countries. After retirement they went on many cruises and took annual winter trips to the Southwest.  She loved to challenge friends to a Scrabble Game.  Jean was a great cook and continued sharing recipes and cooking advice until her last day.

Jean’s memorial service will be at the First Unitarian Society, Madison on Monday, November 27 at 1:00. Private burial will be at a different time.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace, the Oakwood Foundation or the First Unitarian Society.