Jean Mae Doerr
Jean Doerr, 94, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, died Monday, May 18, 2026, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Jean Mae Arbach was born April 17, 1932, in Hoven, SD to John J. and Minnie (Wentz) Arbach. Jean attended St. Anthony’s School in Hoven from first to fifth grade. They moved to Delhi, MN for three years, moving back to Aberdeen in 1947. Jean went to St. Mary’s for the ninth grade and graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1950.
Jean worked at the Equity Creamery, Woolworths, and for 33 years at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, retiring from Century Link in Rapid City, SD in 1988. Jean belongs to Sacred Heart Church and was a lifelong member of the Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, embroidering and spending time with family.
Jean married Wilfred Doerr on August 13, 1951 at St. Mary’s in Aberdeen. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Willie passed away on July 2, 2007. They made their home in Aberdeen and Rapid City. They retired and moved back to Aberdeen.
Willie and Jean had two daughters, Diane (Mike Normandin) Storm of North Platte, NE and Mary Ann Koebernick of Casa Grande, AZ.
Jean wished to say a special thank you to granddaughter-in-law, Martina Storm and great granddaughter Arawyn Jean Storm for their care of her both at home and in the nursing home. Special thank you to all the people who visited and who cared for Jean at Mother Joseph Manor and to Palliative Nurse, Kathy.
Grateful for having shared Jean’s life are her daughters, Diane Storm and Mary Koebernick; grandsons, Jeremy (Deanna) Storm of North Platte, NE, Jason Storm of Sioux Falls, SD, and Joshua (Laney) Haak of Sioux Falls, SD; two great granddaughters, three step great grandchildren, two great great-grandsons, three great great-step grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces, and great nephews and nieces from the Doerr family; which were a big part of Jean’s life.
Preceding Jean in death are her parents; her husband, Willie; brother, Cletus (in infancy); son-in-law, Roger; and one step great grandson.