Jean Alta Farlee, of Republic, KS, daughter of Lloyd LaVern Hallgren and Ruth Alta (Bell) Hallgren, was born on January 28, 1935, at her grandparents' Bell family farm home in rural Courtland, Kansas. She passed away on November 11, 2025, at Brodstone Healthcare in Superior, Nebraska, at the age of 90.
Jean attended Saginaw Elementary School in Michigan for three years and the Little Brick School House in Courtland, Kansas. She graduated from Republic High School in 1953. After graduation, she worked at Arbuthnot Drug in Belleville, Kansas.
On October 17, 1954, Jean was united in marriage to Merlyn Glen Farlee. To this union two children were born, Marilyn and Verlyn. Jean was a devoted farmer's wife and proudly served as a school bus driver for USD No. 427 for 33 years. She also worked for a time as a waitress at Bonnie Bo's in Republic.
Jean was an active member of the Republic United Brethren Church, later the Republic United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent. She also taught and organized Vacation Bible School. She was currently a member of the Republic Community Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn; her son, Verlyn; her parents, Lloyd and Ruth (Bell) Hallgren; her grandparents, Jay Thomas Bell and Rhoda Emma (Poage) Bell, and Adolphus Gus Hallgren and Louise (Gritten) Hallgren; her brothers, Max LaVerne Hallgren and Warren Lee Hallgren; and sister-in-law, Shary Hallgren.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Blake) Nichols of Republic, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Julie Farlee of Republic, Kansas; five grandchildren, Sean Milleson, Tara (Tad) Albright, Marc (Skye) Milleson, Sarah Farlee, and Amy Farlee; and five great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Owen, and Weston Milleson, Jeremiah Milleson, and Victoria Sedlacek; her brother Verle "Bud" (Darlene) Hallgren, and sister-in-law Evelyn Hallgren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews; Michigan cousins Janet Yancey and Florence Bowden; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Republic Community Church, Republic, KS, with Pastor Kathy Aeillo officiating.
Cremation will follow the service, with inurnment at the Belleville Cemetery in Belleville at a later date.
Visitation and viewing will be held on Friday, November 21st, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th Street in Belleville.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Republic Community Church.
Online condolences may be shared at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is assisting the family with the arrangements.