Eva Jean Lawler, age 91, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Mary's Campus.

Eva Jean Gander was born on September 17, 1926 to Herman and Mabel Gander in rural Kellogg, MN. Jean grew up on her family's farm in Cook's Valley in Wabasha Co. She went to country school for eight years, and graduated from Kellogg High School. During the war, she worked for the Defense Department's Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills, MN. After the war, she returned to the Kellogg area. She met and married Edward "Ed" Lawler on July 17, 1947 in the Lourdes High School Chapel. Together they celebrated over 53 years of marriage. The couple enjoyed wintering in Florida after retirement. In 2014, she moved to the Waters Senior Living where she made many new friends.  She enjoyed quilting, crafts, board games, Mahjong, crossword puzzles. She loved to travel the United States, Europe, and Ireland and enjoyed camping with her family.  She was definitely a people-person.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Hanson of Rochester, Deborah (John) Gill of Rochester, Julie (Chris) Miller of Rochester, Robin Lawler of Richfield, MN; her sons, Michael (Debra) of Rochester, Scott (Tina) of Rochester, Robert (Sarah) of Rochester, James (Barbara) of Zumbrota; 17 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Doris Baker of Wabasha, Betty (Don) Gosse of Wabasha, Norma Bulver of Wabasha, Mary (Darrel) Gusa of Kellogg, Elaine (Harlan) Dillinger of Kellogg; and her brothers, Herman (Carol) Gander Jr. of Kellogg and James (Shirley) Gander of Kellogg.

She is preceded in death by her husband Edward (2001) and her sister Helen Volkman.

The Funeral Mass for Jean will be held on Friday, December 1st, 2017 at 3:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Rochester. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, November 30, 2017 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the Mass at St. Francis on Friday.