Jean Frances Seymour

Jean Frances Seymour

(December 30, 1927 – June 4, 2025)

Jean Seymour, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at her home in Ramsay, Montana surrounded by her seven children and many loving family members. Born on December 30, 1927, Jean lived a vibrant 97½ years, embodying optimism, grace, and an unwavering love for life until her final moments.

Jean was a woman of remarkable character and talent. She grew up in small towns in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois with her parents, Lyman and Lillian Cook, and her older brother, Lyman. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1951, summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She was a gifted pianist whose music brought joy to all who heard her play. Her adventurous spirit led her to marry her college sweetheart, Joe Seymour, in Hawaii in 1952 while he was serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Together, they lived in Kure, Japan during Joe's military service at the Yoshiura Petroleum Depot, creating many cherished memories.

A resident of Ramsay since 1955, Jean was active in her local community, including the Ramsay Association, Ramsay School, Girl Scouts, and Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). She was known for her compassionate, nonjudgmental nature, her gentle and patient spirit, and her ability to make everyone feel valued. She was a great teacher and selfless servant leader, who provided loving care not only for her own family but also for several of her neighbors and their children. Her humble and kind personality, paired with her tough resilience, inspired all who knew her. Even through health problems in her later years, Jean seldom complained, facing challenges with the same quiet strength that defined her.

Jean's love for her family was boundless. She was a role model for her children, a doting grandmother, and a proud great-grandmother, always supportive and present for every milestone. She was an excellent cook. Her special dinners, cookies, pies, and fresh bread will be longingly remembered. Her youthful beauty, both inside and out, shone brightly, and her athleticism kept her active, whether she was gardening, hiking, camping, or enjoying time with loved ones. Jean's zest for life and her love for the natural splendor of western Montana were infectious. She loved sitting by a campfire near a mountain lake with family and observing the majesty of the heavens. Her independence and optimism have left an indelible mark on family and friends.

Jean is survived by her seven children: Karen (Rich) Barnett of Marysville, WA; Brad (Connie) Seymour of Spokane, WA; Jack Seymour (Brenda Doe) of Everett, WA; Becky Jensen of Dillon, MT; Cindy (John) Kmetz of Conroe, TX; Beth Peterson of Fairmont, MT; and Scott Seymour of Butte, MT; along with twenty grandchildren: Travis Barnett, Patti (Shane) Anderson, Missy (Joe) Jordan, and Mandy (Jeremiah) Stifle; Allison Seymour (Chris Estes), Danny Seymour, Paula (Zeb) Zoolkoski, and Laura (Kyle) Thomson; Jennifer Rognstad, Tina (Mike) Ogburn, and Sarah Jensen; Joseph (Stacey) Kmetz, Michael Kmetz, Kevin (Lauren) Kmetz, and JeanMarie (Sean) Gerdich; Hailey Peterson, Justin Peterson (Bailey Kasperick), and Ty Peterson; Barry (Amanda) Butori and Autumn Butori (Todd Haubrich); and twenty four great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Jake, and Emma Barnett; Kailee and Jax Anderson; Bayes, Levi and Paige Jordan; Noah, Addy, and Tate Stifle; Aiden Seymour; Robbie, Faith, Madi, and Gabe Rognstad; Chris, Jacob, and Kaleb Ogburn; Reid and Clayton Hoffman; Briar Peterson; and Riley and Evangeline Butori; with two new babies on the way. Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe Seymour; her brother, Lyman Cook; her daughter-in-law, Vicki Seymour; and son-in-law, Jay Peterson.

Heartfelt thanks to the many medical professionals, home health care workers, Hospice staff, and neighbors who assisted with Jean's care in her later years. A celebration of Jean's extraordinary life will be held at 2:00 pm, on August 23rd at St. Timothy's Memorial Chapel above Georgetown Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for a memorial bench to be placed on the Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail in Jean's memory, reflecting her compassionate spirit and love of the outdoors. Donations can be sent to "The Account of Jean F. Seymour" at Opportunity Bank, 3401 Harrison Avenue, Butte, MT 59701.

Jean lived as she died—peacefully, surrounded by love, and forever a beacon of light to those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Please visit below to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Jean. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Jean and her family.