Roma Jean Echo

Roma Jean Echo, 87, of Hager City, died Friday, February 28, 2025 at the Ellsworth Care Center in Ellsworth, Wisc.

Jean was born January 30, 1938 in Beuladean, in the hill county of North Carolina. Her mother died of tuberculosis when Roma was only five-years-old and she was raised by her grandmother with help from other family members.

She grew up in Maryland where she went to school. She graduated from Townson Sr. High School, class of 1956. She then enlisted in the U.S. Army where she was assigned to the 101st Airborne, and 101st Sustainment brigade as a public affairs specialist at Fort Campbell. In 1957 she married John K. Echo of Baltimore. Together they had four children. The couple later divorced.

Jean worked for 28 years for 3M as an administrative assistant. She also joined the Minnesota Army National Guard where she was a photographer and journalist, serving for 11 years and retiring in 1984.

She later moved to New Richmond where she worked in nursing homes and as a home health aide. She then went on to work for 8 years as a returns specialist with a local marketing company.

Jean was a devoted mother who was very involved in her children's activities when they were young. She also volunteered as a Den Mother for her son's Boy Scout troop.

She loved the outdoors, gardening, camping and canoeing. She was skilled in many arts and crafts, including ceramics, sewing, photography, carpentry, and oil painting. She enjoyed sports played on a softball teams and a bowling league. Her four-legged babies, both dogs and cats, kept her life busy and happy in her later years.

She is survived by her children; Mary Echo of Red Wing, Minn., Jerri (Rebecca Troye) Echo of Hager City, Wisc., John (Wendy) Echo of Napels, Florida, and William Echo of Hager City, Wisc.; granddaughters, Chantele McKay, Christina Headly, Erica Echo, Daniella Echo and Sophia Echo; two great-grandchildren, Keeley and Isak Ruscher; Paul Ruscher, who she considered a grandson; and Bill Thatcher who was a son.

She is preceded in death by her mother; Birdie Shephard; and grandmother, Mollie Shephard.

A celebration of life will be June 7, 2025 at the home of Jerri Echo in Hager City as the bluffs reminded her of the hills where she grew up in North Carolina. Jean always felt at home there.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com