Jean Mae Raz

Jean Mae Raz (Atwood)

Jean Mae Raz (Atwood) (91) of Winona went to be with the Lord on December 30, 2023. With friends and family ministering to her. Jean was born on May 6, 1932 to Harold R. Atwood and Mildred Atwood (Thompson) in Winona, MN. It took them 6 days to name her. Jean was very proud of her dad and shared how he was a Dough Boy in WWI and a member of the Minnesota Legislature. Her mother ran the family business Atwood Sweet Shop. Jean was a lifelong Winona resident with the exception of a few stints outside of the area. After graduating from Winona Senior Highschool, Jean attended St. Teresa College graduating in 1952 with a degree in Music. Jean shared many stories of her time there. She jokingly shared she was called one of the first "Left Handed" – Non-Catholic to graduate. Following her graduation, Jean married Richard "Dick" H. Hervey on July 3, 1954. Following the marriage, Dick and Jean moved to Germany where he was serving in the US Army as a German linguist. While living there, they lived with a local family. This allowed Jean to learn German as well as to host the many visitors from the US especially fellow Winona residents. Following their return to the US, Dick and Jean moved to St. Paul, Mn where they had 2 children Todd Atwood Hervey and Heidi Gayle Hervey. Heidi's life was short due to a birth defect. Jean and Dick later divorced in 1969. This brought Jean and Todd back to Winona.

In 1971, Jean met and married Dr. Robert "Bob" Walter Raz. Dr. Raz was a professor at Winona State University. They were matched up by the church preacher. Jean and Bob spent over 50 years together. One of Jean's many passions was music. For almost 40 years, Jean taught piano. There are multi-generational families in Winona that called Jean "teacher". From her teen years until she turned 90, Jean played the piano. Even last year she played for the Christmas show put on by Sugarloaf residents. Until they moved into Sugarloaf Senior Living in 2020, they had a baby grand piano. Jean and Bob could be heard playing and entertaining others with the baby grand. For many years, Jean was an active member of TOPS Winona.

Jean was preceded in death by Heide Hervey her daughter, her parents, Sarah Anne Hervey her granddaughter, her son Todd Hervey and her husband Bob. Jean is survived by her grandson Joshua Hervey of Kansa City, Mo. And her honorable daughter-in law Katie Lisk of Minneapolis, her former brother-in-law Robert Hervey and many friends.

So many other stories could be shared about Jean by so many of her friends, but it would take a book. Many thanks to those who have helped Jean over the last few years – Joe and Lori Luby, Ray and Lisa Kesler and Kristin Ellinghuysen. A special thanks to the hard-working staff of Sugarloaf Senior Living. She will be missed by so many, especially her church family. Bob and Jean were longtime active faithful member of the Brookside church of Christ. She often said "The church is my family."

Services for Jean will be held at the Brookside church of Christ 109 Debi Lei Dr. Winona, Mn on January 12 at 11:00 with Minister Ray Kesler officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In Leu of flower, please send donations to Winona Area Hospice or Winona Volunteer Services. Hoff Celebration of Life Center is assisting the family with arrangements.