Jean Oak

Jean Marie Oak, 84, passed away peacefully at her home of 54 years in Chicago’s Hegewisch neighborhood early on July 22th, 2019.

She was a Valentine’s baby, born to the late Carl Julius Bogren and Marie Elizabeth (Erickson) Bogren in Chicago on February 14, 1935.  She attended Hirsch High School and grew up in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago.

She married the late Roland W. Oak on September 18, 1954 and they lived together in Hegewisch until his passing on January 3rd, 1995.  She is survived by her 4 loving daughters, Laura Diane Radelia (Ray);  grandchildren, Taylor Carl and Lukas River; Linnea Marie Ogrentz (Tim); grandchildren, Abigail Ro and Harrison Timothy; Audra Charlotte DeGonia (Bruce); grandchildren, Clarissa Jean Wysocki-Grady (Nathan); Kristine Michelle DeGonia; great-grandchild Willow Oris Wysocki-Grady; Corinne Elizabeth Oak-Schecter (Noel); grandchild Henna Rose Schecter. She is preceded in death by her sister, Joan (Bogren) Douglas and brother-in-law Sven E. Oak.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews and her first cousin, Hasse Bogren, in Sweden.

Jean was a special person.  She was hard to get to know, but once you did get to know her you loved her.  She was “real,” didn’t mince words and was a master thing-finder.  She was strong-willed and smart-as-a-whip.  According to her grandchildren, she made each of them feel special and loved.

She loved her Scandinavian Heritage and was an avid collector of plates, spoons and most recently- Kinder surprise toys.  She loved visits from her children and grandchildren and rarely lost a card game.  She loved pop culture, and embraced technology- including her Kindle, iPad, Facebook and Instagram.  She was a top deviled-egg maker, a kitchen dancer, a musical lover, an arm-chair Jeopardy winner, Google before there was  Google, an avid thrift-shopper, reader, and crossword puzzle lover. Over the years, she has created many cherished ceramic and crocheted items.

She played Bunco monthly (top booby prize winner) and was a member and active member of Vasa Order of America, Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761, where she attended many Lucia Fests and Spring Fests.

A Remembrance of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Opyt Funeral Home 13350 S Baltimore Ave, Chicago, IL 60633 in Chicago from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Interment will be held privately at a later date. Online condolences can be made by selecting the "Tribute Wall" Tab.

She is also survived by her Siamese cat companions, Bandit and Bibi.  Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Paws Chicago at http://www.pawschicago.org/how-to-help/donate/.