Muriel Jean Brihn

Muriel Jean Brihn took her first earthly breaths in St. Paul, MN on September 19, 1926.  Henry R. and Ella C. Peterson, along with siblings Raymond, Roger, Ralph and Marjorie welcomed her as she began her eighty-eight year journey.  Jean became a big sister to Mavis and Meredith before the Peterson family of seven siblings was complete.  Jean completed her high school education at Harding High, graduating in 1945.  During her youth, the family was very active at First Lutheran Church, where Jean was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith.  

After attending Lee’s Beauty School, Jean worked at a salon near her home & the Peterson Maytag shop; then, she opened her own business, Jean’s Beauty Shop.  On December 18, 1948 Jean married Melvin (Mick) Bauerfield; she sold the beauty shop in 1949 and traveled with Mick to Alabama, where he underwent Basic Training for the Minnesota National Guard.  In 1951, Mick was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict.  On October 21, 1951, during his service in Korea, Jean lost her husband when their son, Michael Gene, was only six days old.  

Jean and Mike attended an Independence Day picnic at the Bauerfield farm in Clear Lake on July 4, 1953; it was here that she met Joseph A. Brihn, whom she married on October 23 of that year.  Jean, Joe and Mike settled on their farm home in rural Clayton.  In the coming years, Jean, Joe and Mike welcomed Kathy Jo, David Joseph and Penny Jean to the family.

During the next several years, Jean was a full-time farmer’s wife and mom.  It didn’t take her long to adapt to country life, assisting with both barn and crop chores.  She loved helping in the fields each spring; Joe and Jean always tended a large garden.  They stocked the freezer and the basement with produce for the winter months.  Jean became known as a wonderful cook and baker; homemade meals, bread and sweets were always plentiful. Family was always an important part of Jean’s life, and many of her memories revolved around these gatherings. Throughout the years, Jean’s children, grandchildren and extended families knew they could always stop in, even bring along friends, to share a meal, have a cup of coffee or can of pop, and spend time for a visit, usually around the kitchen table.  

In 1980, Jean, Joe and Penny moved from their original farmhouse to a home on the Greene Hill road.  When they sold the farms in 1994, Joe and Jean moved to their big, white house next to the water tower in Clear Lake.    

Jean was an active member of Moe Lutheran Church and the Moe Ladies Aid and Circle.  She could always be counted on to help serve lunch for weddings, funerals and a variety of other functions.  And, of course, the annual Lutefisk dinner!  

Joe and Jean started their annual winter trips to California in the nineties, spending time with Mavis and Don, as well as other relatives and friends.  While in California, on March 14, 2007, they received the news that Michael suddenly passed away from a heart attack.              

As Joe’s health and mobility declined, Jean’s strength and support as his caregiver allowed for the comforts of living at home; extending the years of commitment, companionship and hand-holding that was evident throughout their decades as husband and wife. Joe passed away on June 18, 2008.      

Jean’s family expanded as her children grew, married and provided her with the new role of mother-in-law to Debbie (Mitchell), Dody (Gaudette) & Hank Eggert; and grandma to Melissa (Eric Moll), Eric, Matthew (Tricia), Bethany (Joel Ashmun), Rebekah (Josh Cook), Kimberly (Nels Spence), and Andrew.  Brett, McKenna, Austin, Wyatt, Seth, Carly, Olivia and Frances have the privilege of calling her Great-Grandma.  Randy, Kathy’s longtime friend and life-partner has been a member of Jean’s family for several years; Jean was so thankful for his love and support as her needs grew in the recent years.  


After Joe’s passing, Jean moved to the Pine View Apartments in Clear Lake; followed by the relocation in February, 2013 to the Heritage Court Assisted Living Apartments in Hammond, just a few miles from Kathy and Randy’s home in Baldwin.  

Needing more care with daily activities, Jean transitioned to the Baldwin Care Center in September, 2014.  It was in “her room” that she took her last shallow, peaceful breaths on the evening of Sunday, June 14, 2015, with “her Kathy” holding her hand.  

Mick, Mike, Joe and many family members and friends preceded Jean in passing onto their eternal home.  In addition to her immediate family, surviving to celebrate her well-lived life are her sister Mavis, sisters-in-law Marjorie Peterson, Rose (Jerry) Barrett, Mary Ann Brihn, and Anna Mae (Eldon) Robey, as well as brother-in-law, Don Eckert.  Jean will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  The family wishes to acknowledge (as Mom would want) the love, devotion and care she received from her very special niece, Karen (Hoyt) Pederson.

Muriel Jean was quiet, but strong in conviction and faith.  It was important to her that Memorial Day Weekend included a visit to Fort Snelling National Cemetery to honor Mick and his parents.  Jean never wanted to impose or be a bother to anyone.  Over the years, her standard response was, “I’m fine”, even when you knew she wasn’t.  She was never without a hankie or a pocket full of tissues, as well as a stock of cough drops, and a pen in each pocket!  She will be remembered for her love of birds (especially cardinals), the pride of being a “full-blooded Swede” (just like her friend, Lil – who, by the way, is “still alive!”), and her love of family.  Her family is comforted in the knowledge she is at peace.

Funeral services for Muriel Jean were held on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Moe Lutheran Church, rural Clear Lake.  Pastor Margaret Grant officiated and Bev Moll provided organ music.

Pallbearers were Joel Ashmun, David Bauerfield, Paul Brihn, Rodney Christensen, Ryan Frank and Nels Spence.  

E. J. Tarbox, Everett Tarbox, Bob Marshall, Donny Deaton, Garry Brier and Bruce Ashlin were recognized as California Honorary Pallbearers.    

Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.    

                

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