Jean L. Flatter, 86, Wausau, died Saturday January 3, 2015 at Mount View Care Center. She was born January 7, 1928, in Merrill, daughter of the late Walter T. and Emelie O. (Daniek) Krueger. On December 29, 1956, she married Arno Ainsworth Flatter in Merrill. He preceded her in death October 18, 1984. Jean was profoundly influenced at an early age about the importance of the care and concern given to people in the healthcare system. As a young girl, she entered the hospital to have her appendix removed, and being young, was apprehensive about the doctors, nurses, the hospital and procedures going on. She carefully observed the calming methods of the attending nurse-from her particular neatness in dress to her impeccable bedside manner-and these traits manifested themselves in Jean’s desire to do the same for others. In 1949, she graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing, Milwaukee, going on to work at Deaconess Hospital, later at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, then moved to San Francisco with her good friend, Kikuko “Kiko” Ishida. After returning from California, she came back to Deaconess Hospital and realizing that education was her calling completed her Baccalaureate from Marquette University in 1954 and went on to teach nursing at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau. She then taught Nursing at the former NCTI in Wausau and while teaching there, took weekend and summer classes to obtain her Master’s in Education from Marquette in 1980. She continued to teach Nursing and took evening classes to earn her Masters in Nursing from the UW Oshkosh in 1995. She retired at the age of 70. Traveling was a favorite pastime for Jean and she extensively explored the United States and celebrated her retirement with a trip to Europe. She also enjoyed reading, music and history. Her mother immigrated to the US from Resicza, Austria-Hungary having settled in Lincoln, Illinois, before ending up on a farm in rural Merrill. For many years the family made annual trips to Lincoln, to visit relatives and continue to explore the area. In her later years, Jean also enjoyed spending time at the Springfield Museum and Library of Abraham Lincoln. She was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation as well as a member of the Deaconess School of Nursing Alumnae Association. Survivors include two sons, Christopher (Susan) Flatter, Rothschild and Jeffrey (significant other, Jodie) Flatter, Wausau, two granddaughters, Sarah and Amanda Flatter, Wausau, one brother, David (BernaDean) Krueger, Winder, Georgia, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday January 9, 2015 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Wausau. Rev. Mary Jo Laabs and Rev. Wayne Drueck will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com – She was born January 7, 1928, in Merrill, daughter of the late Walter T. and Emelie O. (Daniek) Krueger. On December 29, 1956, she married Arno Ainsworth Flatter in Merrill. He preceded her in death October 18, 1984. Jean was profoundly influenced at an early age about the importance of the care and concern given to people in the healthcare system. As a young girl, she entered the hospital to have her appendix removed, and being young, was apprehensive about the doctors, nurses, the hospital and procedures going on. She carefully observed the calming methods of the attending nurse-from her particular neatness in dress to her impeccable bedside manner-and these traits manifested themselves in Jean’s desire to do the same for others. In 1949, she graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing, Milwaukee, going on to work at Deaconess Hospital, later at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, then moved to San Francisco with her good friend, Kikuko “Kiko” Ishida. After returning from California, she came back to Deaconess Hospital and realizing that education was her calling completed her Baccalaureate from Marquette University in 1954 and went on to teach nursing at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau. She then taught Nursing at the former NCTI in Wausau and while teaching there, took weekend and summer classes to obtain her Master’s in Education from Marquette in 1980. She continued to teach Nursing and took evening classes to earn her Masters in Nursing from the UW Oshkosh in 1995. She retired at the age of 70. Traveling was a favorite pastime for Jean and she extensively explored the United States and celebrated her retirement with a trip to Europe. She also enjoyed reading, music and history. Her mother immigrated to the US from Resicza, Austria-Hungary having settled in Lincoln, Illinois, before ending up on a farm in rural Merrill. For many years the family made annual trips to Lincoln, to visit relatives and continue to explore the area. In her later years, Jean also enjoyed spending time at the Springfield Museum and Library of Abraham Lincoln. She was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation as well as a member of the Deaconess School of Nursing Alumnae Association. Survivors include two sons, Christopher (Susan) Flatter, Rothschild and Jeffrey (significant other, Jodie) Flatter, Wausau, two granddaughters, Sarah and Amanda Flatter, Wausau, one brother, David (BernaDean) Krueger, Winder, Georgia, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday January 9, 2015 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Wausau. Rev. Mary Jo Laabs and Rev. Wayne Drueck will officiate. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com –