Jeanette Ann Blazicevich

Jeanette Bauer Blazicevich, 65, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Bozeman after a long illness. Jeanette was born June 26, 1949 in Kenmare, North Dakota to Nicholas Bauer and Marie Franetich Bauer. She was raised on the family farm near Kenmare, attended local schools and graduated from Kenmare High School in 1967. After graduation, Jeanette moved to Bismarck ND and worked for the State of North Dakota for several years. She then moved to Fargo ND where she worked in the insurance field. In 1972, ready for a change of scenery, Jeanette moved to Great Falls MT, her mother’s hometown. She worked for St Paul Insurance Company for many years. In 1983 Jeanette met the love of her life, Matt Blazicevich, and on July 7, 1984 they were married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Their family was completed with the birth of sons Michael in 1985 and James in 1988. Jeanette devoted herself to her family, raising her sons while caring for her aging parents and attending college part time. In 1997 Matt and Jeanette moved to Bozeman and in 2004 she fulfilled a life long dream of earning a college degree, graduating with honors from Montana State University with a Degree in Health and Human Development. She then worked at MSU’s Student Health Service for one year, for three years at a local nursing home, and then three years for the State of Montana as a Regional Program Office for Senior and Long Term Care Services. In 2011 Jeanette retired due to health issues, but remained active as a volunteer as long as her health allowed. Jeanette was a compassionate woman who cared for everyone. She had a deep love for her family, for music and for the underdog. As a young girl she sang along with the radio while sitting on her father’s lap. She loved to sing and sang at many weddings and other special occasions. She wrote songs and then sang and recorded them at a local sound studio. Jeanette led the singing at her church as a Cantor. At the same time Jeanette was always involved with volunteering and care giving. As a young woman, she was a volunteer Big Sister to the same girl for 12 years. During that time, Jeanette wrote and recorded a special song for the Big Brothers and Sisters Program. As a mother with a young child she cared for her own mother for two years while her mom battled terminal cancer. After her mother passed away she cared for her father for 16 years making sure he was comfortable in his golden years. After the birth of her sons, Jeanette began volunteering for the local Birthright Pregnancy Help Center, eventually becoming it’s director. While at Birthright she wrote and recorded a song for Birthright that she sang at the International Birthright Convention in Atlanta. As her boys grew her volunteer efforts included Sunday School Teacher, a reading aide in their elementary school classroom and a Cub Scout Den Leader, often including music in these activities. Jeanette began attending college classes part time in Great Falls and continued to do so in Bozeman. She also moved her aging father with the family to Bozeman so she could continue to care for him. After graduating from college Jeanette chose a career path that always had her caring for the elderly and disadvantaged. As her health declined and Jeanette was forced to retire from her job she stayed active as a volunteer. She volunteered at the Gallatin County Pioneer Museum, the Bozeman Senior Center, Holy Rosary Church and the Bozeman Adult Education Center as a conversation partner to a young woman from Turkey. Jeanette was truly the ultimate caregiver. Jeanette was preceded in death by her mother Marie Bauer in 1987 and her father Nicholas Bauer in 2003. Jeanette is survived by her husband Matt, sons Michael of Everett WA and James of Bozeman, sister Charlotte (Oscar) Blaskowski of Bismarck ND and four nieces and one nephew. She is also survived by many cousins including Monica Bauer who moved to Bozeman from New York City to help care for Jeanette during her final illness. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to St Catherine Family Health Care Clinic, 15 East Main, Belgrade, MT 59714, Big Brothers and Sisters, 15 S. 8th Street, Bozeman, MT 59715 or Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 220 W. Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715. Visitation will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 pm followed by a Rosary and Vigil service at 7:00 pm, Friday, February 27, 2015 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the church hosted by the Foresters.