Jean Marie (Wuensch) Briggs , age 70, of Frederic, Wisconsin, passed away tragically in an apartment fire on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Jean was born on November 19, 1955, at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital to Richard and Jacqueline (Bautch) Wuensch. She spent her early childhood in La Crosse until her father’s passing in 1958. The family later moved to Whitehall and then Tomah, Wisconsin. In 1964, her mother remarried, and Jean was adopted by her stepfather, Robert Briggs. The family then settled in Eau Claire, where Jean attended North High School.

After high school, Jean remained in Eau Claire and worked at a gas station. She welcomed her daughter, Jessica, in 1977. Over the years, she lived in Whitehall and then La Crosse, where she earned her GED and then completed a technical school program earning her diploma as an operating room technician. She later moved to Prairie du Chien, where she worked in the operating room at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital before beginning employment at 3M, where she eventually retired.

In 2011, Jean relocated to Polk County to be near her daughter and grandchildren, eventually making her home in Frederic, where she lived for the past thirteen years. During her time there, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren—whether she was watching them, supporting them, or enjoying meaningful one-on-one time. Jean also found joy in feeding the squirrels that gathered on her deck.

Jean will be remembered for her genuine kindness, her gentle spirit, and the deep compassion she carried for others throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Wuensch, Robert Briggs, and her mother Jacqueline Briggs, as well as her brothers-in-law, Peter Prynch and Kirk Barkdoll.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Jessica Richter (Jason); grandchildren Keys King, Samuel King, Amelia King, Levi King, Thomas King, and Savannah Richter; siblings Julie Prynch, Thomas (Shelley) Briggs, David (Niki) Briggs, and Jan Barkdoll; along with many extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at Luck Lutheran Church in Luck, Wisconsin, on Thursday, December 11th, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow in the church hall.

Last Update: Dec 08, 2025 11:11 am CST