Jeannette J. Kitchen

Jeannette Kitchen passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, at the Brook in Roscommon, Michigan. She was 95 years of age. She was visited by dozens of family and friends especially during her last weeks. She found joy in the traditional Sunday take-out dinner promptly at 5 pm brought to her and enjoyed with her by her son Kirt and grandson Rob Lawe. And, she never passed on dessert.

Jean, as she was known by most, was born in Grayling, Michigan on September 30, 1930, to Lillian and Arthur Clough. She graduated from Grayling High School and was the belle of the Winter Carnival her senior year. Upon graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Nelson, and had 5 children with him until his tragic death in a car accident six weeks after the birth of their fifth child. Several years later she married Marty Kitchen and welcomed into the family another son with him.

She worked as a waitress and then joined the real estate firm, Art Clough Real Estate, and assumed leadership of the firm in 1985. She was recruited to run for County Commissioner and served 6 two-year terms. Due to her knowledge of the area and countless contacts, she was recruited as field representative for her State Senators and worked for them from 1989 to 1995. While County Commissioner she helped pioneer recycling in Crawford County including learning about the technology as part of a fact-finding trip to Germany: always resourceful, she located a grant to fund the trip instead of using County money. She was on the Board of Canvassers for decades through 2021. She continued her civic work by serving on the Regional Transportation Board until her death.

Jean was known for her vitality, fun-loving spirit and dedication to family and friends. Her enjoyment of golf was legendary – playing every day she could even in the Michigan drizzle. She was even woman’s club champion in 2005 and again in 2009 despite her diminutive stature. And, she achieved the elusive Hole-In-One – the grand milestone for any serious golfer.

She is survived by her sons Mark (Cheryl) Nelson, Michael (Alice) Nelson, daughter Becky (Jeff) Bond, and son Kirt (Rochelle) Kitchen; grandchildren Eric Nelson, Elizabeth (Ryan) Connaughton, Richard (Kim) Nelson, Marcy McAtee, Michael Kelly, Corin Kelly, Jeremy (MJ) Nelson, Ryan (fiancé Chelsea) Nelson, Ashley (Jake) Gibaud, Travis Nelson, Rob Lawe, Kyle (Michelle) Bond, and Jessie (Jason) Sharpe; and many great grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Kerrigan (Nancy) Clough. She was predeceased by daughter Ricky and son Greg, her parents and her brother Art (Shirley) Clough, and sister Barbara (Jim) Verlinde.

Services are visitation at 11:00am and funeral at noon Saturday October 18 at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. Flowers (sent to the funeral home) or a contribution are welcome to the family scholarship fund for Grayling High School graduates (mail contributions in care of CAEEF to Grayling High School, 1135 North Old 27, Grayling, MI 49738. Make checks to Clough Family Scholarship Fund).

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.