Jean May, 67-year-old of Browerville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 5, 2025.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place at the church on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:45 PM, with the Rosary being prayed at 3:45 PM prior to the visitation and a prayer service starting at 6:45 PM. Visitation will continue the day of the funeral from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Burial will immediately follow the mass at the church cemetery.

 

“Every life begins like a new bloom: soft, full of promise, and ready to bring beauty into the world.”

The world became a brighter place on May 16, 1958, when Jean Marie Mahr was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Donald and Marilyn (Schuster) Mahr.

Jean spent her childhood in Brooklyn Center, attending Earle Brown Elementary through sixth grade before moving to Swanville for seventh through ninth grade. She completed her schooling at Browerville High School, where she was active in FHA (Future Homemakers of America), cheered on her school as a cheerleader, and was honored as part of the homecoming royalty.

Jean’s kindness and spirited personality made her stand out wherever she went, and it wasn’t long before she caught the attention of Mike May, the brother of her friends Beth and Kay. The two quickly became inseparable, and on a cold, snowy day on February 16, 1980, they were married and began a lifelong journey together.

“Together they planted roots, and from their love grew a life full of color, joy, and all the things that make a garden flourish.”

Jean embraced motherhood wholeheartedly. She and Mike welcomed Jake, Justin, Jenna, and Julia, and Jean treasured the years she spent at home raising them. When the time was right, she brought her caring nature to the Clarissa Care Center, where she worked for more than 25 years, making a difference in the lives of many. She later worked at Breitenfeldt Group and then at the Browerville High School library, where she brightened the days of countless students.

Together, Jean and Mike built a beautiful life on their farm west of Browerville. Jean took great pride in her home, yard, and especially her gardens, which reflected her eye for beauty and her love of creating warm, welcoming spaces. As the years passed, her family grew as well. Over a span of 14 years, she became a Grammie celebrating the arrival of 13 grandchildren, each one adding joy to her life and expanding the circle of people she loved so deeply.

Jean and Mike filled their days with the things they cherished most: attending grandchildren’s events, traveling together, hosting grandkid sleepovers, camping, and spending time at their cabin on Egg Lake, where many lasting memories were made. Jean also enjoyed being part of the garden club and a quilting group. She had a natural talent for reorganizing, repurposing, and decorating not only in her own home but in the homes of others, where she loved helping create beauty and comfort.

“A flower lost early reshapes the garden forever, leaving a stillness nothing can replace.”

On December 5th, Jean passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, surrounded by her loving husband of 45 years, her children, and their spouses. Her loss came far too soon and will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

Jean will be remembered for her quick wit, heartfelt advice, generous spirit, creative eye, and the love she showed to everyone around her.

She left behind her best friend and husband Mike May; children Jake (Megan) May, Justin (Erin) May, Jenna (Tyler) Biermaier, and Julia (Mike) Zinter; and her wonderful grandchildren: Riley May, Bentley Biermaier, Chloe May, Jaida May, Addison Zinter, Brooklyn Biermaier, Acen May, Zachary Zinter, Mia Biermaier, Lennon May, Sawyer May, Carson Zinter, and Maren May: mother Marilyn Smith; stepfather Dave Smith, stepmother Audrey Mahr; 5 siblings; 26 in-laws, and 43 nieces and nephews.

Jean is welcomed into heaven by her father Donald Mahr; her in-laws Herb and Topsy May; her godchild Dalton May; nephews Herbie Brown and Lonnie Mahr, and brother-in-laws Chris George and Russell May.

“The blossom is gone from the stem, and though a beautiful flower never stays long enough, the memory of her life, the roots she made, and the love she left will forever linger in the garden she leaves behind.”