Jeanne Wichman

Jeanne Wichman, daughter of Israel and child of God, passed away on Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. During her last days, her loved ones were at her side. Jeanne was born on September 1, 1928 to Philip and Pearl Sobrano in New York City. She was the oldest of five children. Jeanne grew up with her brothers and sisters, many aunts and uncles and cousins in the New York metropolitan area where she completed her schooling. Following high school, Jeanne's interest in photography led to a job in a photo studio where she developed film and made portraits and prints. Her interest in photography and art also led her to own and operate Jeanne's Ceramics in Moorhead for many, many years. Jeanne loved her ceramics students and they became her dear friends.During the Korean War, in the autumn of 1951, Jeanne's girlfriend and her boyfriend invited Jeanne on a double date, a "blind date" to meet their friend, a young soldier stationed at nearby Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Little did Jeanne know that she would meet the love of her life, Dale Wichman. What a wonderful couple: Dale, a handsome young farm boy from Buffalo, North Dakota and Jeanne, a beautiful young lady from the big city, together and in love. Their courtship found them seeing the sights of New York: Central Park, ice skaters at Rockefeller Plaza, plays and endless conversations. Dale and Jeanne married on January 25, 1952 and then boarded the train to Georgia where Dale's new army post at Camp Gordon in Augusta awaited.Later, during the summer of 1952, Jeanne and Dale boarded another train, this one bound for Moorhead where Jeanne met Dale's family for the first time. They spent several exciting days helping to plan the family reunion at Lake Irene near Parker's Prairie, MN.As the women of the family prepared the picnic lunch, the young men swam and dove from the Lake Irene dock, enjoying cool water on a warm July day. The joy of the family reunion took a tragic turn when Dale suffered a spinal cord injury during a diving accident. The injury left Dale a quadriplegic and forever changed Jeanne's life and the life of her family. Suffering such loss, many young women may have left, but Jeanne's love and devotion to Dale were great. She cared for Dale for the rest of his life. Dale died on February 2, 1981. For 29 years, Jeanne was Dale's caregiver and remained his best friend, his companion and his beloved wife. Jeanne was a woman of devotion, love, kindness and giving. As she cared for Dale, she also cared for others as seen through her volunteerism with the Special Olympics, The Red River Valley Handicaps Club, and as a Sunday school teacher.Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Dale, a sister Millie and a brother Harvey. She is survived by son Alan Rita Wilczek Wichman of Plymouth, MN, a sister Thelma Baker of Millsboro, Delaware, and a brother Ronnie Sobrano of Union, New Jersey. Jeanne is also survived by beloved niece Barb, her husband Rick and their daughters Sara and Melissa, all of Moorhead, MN. Jeanne is also survived by dear nephews Carl Wichman, Moorhead, MN, Tim Florence Schmitz of Hinckley, MN, Steve Schmitz of Arlington, MN, and dear niece Lori Scott Kvidt of Fergus Falls, MN.God hath not promised skies always blue or joy without sorrow. Yet, while skies were not always blue during Jeanne's life, God provided her with strength for the day and undying love. Hers was a life of devotion, love and care. Jeanne's precious soul now rests eternally in the loving care of our Lord and God, King of the Universe. Her family shall love her, miss her and feel her absence until the end of time.