Jean Marie Sumner

Jean Marie (Bee) Sumner died Friday, October 24, 2025 at her home in Rockport, Texas. After facing chronic lymphocytic leukemia for many years, her body is finally at peace.

Jean was born December 21, 1952 in Plum City, Wisconsin to Ken and Pat Bee. She grew up in Embarrass, Minnesota and graduated from Virginia High School in 1971. She lived in St. Paul with her first husband, Lyle Nevala, and children before moving back to Duluth in 1977.

She married Steve Sumner on February 14, 1987 in Duluth. They raised a blended family of five children. Shortly after they married they purchased property on Murphy Lake. The cabin and the “Big” house were integral parts of the family and extended family. Many Labor Day weekend family gatherings along with countless weekends on the pontoon boat with family and friends occurred at Murphy Lake.

Jean received her B.Acc. from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1981, passed the CPA exam, and went to work as a Controller for First National (Norwest) bank, later becoming Wells Fargo. She was promoted to the head of the department in Duluth and was an Executive Vice President when she retired. She always had an entrepreneurial spirit. She worked with friends, Marsha and Marcia, and Steve, to create a series of postcard DVD’s for the business they called “Take it Home”. She retired in 2006 and moved to The Villages, FL. She and Steve loved retired life, playing golf and spending time with friends. When Jean was diagnosed with leukemia, she began her own non-profit, World Wellness Education to share stories of peoples’ healing journeys and nutrition information. She was a prolific networker in everything she did, she had over 1,000 contacts and probably knew many more. She self-published several books on wellness.

Jean and Steve loved to travel and spent many weeks in Mexico and the Caribbean. They also loved traveling in their motorhome, taking cruises and trips on their Harleys. Her favorite trip was diving off the shores of Honduras with Steve. She also took mystery trips with close friends that started in the early 80s and many sister trips that always included a good glass of red wine.

Jean loved the outdoors. She was an accomplished runner completing many half marathons and the Disney marathon the year she turned 50. She liked to hike, bike, cross country ski and snowshoe. She also liked camping, fishing, diving and the beach.

Most recently she spent her winters in Yuma, AZ and last winter bought a home in Rockport, TX. In the summer, she would return to Embarrass.

She is survived by her daughters, Leslie (Brad) Brunfelt, Duluth, MN; Kristen (John) Peek, Orlando, FL;  and Amy (Dennis) Christopherson, Arkansaw, WI; stepson, Jason Sumner; bonus daughter, Julie Sumner. Grandchildren, Emily and Sydney Hanna, Ben and Aaron Fulford,

Tabitha (Cody) Strzyzykowski, Matthew Sumner, Miranda, Robert, and Alice Christopherson. Great Grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mackenzie Strzyzykowski. Siblings Linda (Duane) Henry, Lacey, WA; Ann Lamppa, Virginia, MN; Jodi (Perry) Kronenbush, Rochester, MN; Chuck (Patty) Bee, Tower, MN. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her dearly. Partner, Bob Schroeder and dog, Sassy.

She is preceded in death by her parents and parents in-law, her husband of 34 years, Steve Sumner; son Travis Nevala, and brother-in-law, Lon Lamppa.

A celebration of life will be held at Timber Hall in Embarrass, MN on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Please share online condolences and photos at charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com