Jean-Nee Krause Horton, formerly of Passaic Park and Clifton, New Jersey died on Thursday, February 4^th, 2021 at the age of 94 in San Mateo, CA. Jean suffered from heart-related complications and passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Secaucus, NJ August 18, 1926, Jean was the daughter of Paul and Anna Krause. Jean graduated from Passaic Senior High School and was accepted to Columbia University, but declined admission to attend Drake Business School in lieu to be closer to home and help her parents financially. As an only child, Jean spent much of her childhood alongside her parents assisting with the family bakery business. It’s here where Jean learned the art of baking and cooking traditional German recipes that were passed down for generations. Her love for cakes, cookies and pastries became a life-long pleasure, and one could regularly find Jean sitting at Copenhagen’s Bakery on Burlingame Avenue enjoying a cup of coffee and a fresh hot cross bun.

Jean is survived by her two daughters, Carol Ann Prater and Diane Eleanore Dougherty; her four grandchildren, Karen Simon, Hannah Meyers, Jennifer King and Jessica Prater; and her seven greatgrandchildren Elijah, Julie, Jubilee and Penny Jean Prater, Milo and Zeke Meyers, and Zakariah King. Her husband Fred A. Horton predeceased her in 1998.

During a girl’s night out in New York City in 1945, Jean met Fred A. Horton at a popular nightclub. They exchanged photos and contact information, but to everyone’s surprise Fred was issued orders to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II the very next day. Through months of letter writing, Fred and Jean remained in touch and were reunited and wed in 1946. On April 19, 1948 and February 15, 1951 respectively, she welcomed her two beautiful daughters who were the most important part of her life.

Jean was a devoted Christian and dedicated her life to serving as a child of Jesus Christ. She was remarkably loved by all and made friends with everyone who crossed her path. She was incredibly independent, and had an unrivaled entrepreneurial spirit that allowed her to pursue many business ventures over the years. Most notably, her Wee Care daycare business became her pride and joy and she treated many of the children she cared for as if they were her own. Jean loved to knit all kinds of gifts from blankets to baby booties; hand-write greeting cards and letters to her friends and family; she loved her rose bushes and even made sure the neighborhood birds who visited her deck were fed daily. She was passionate about Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family and collected various pieces of memorabilia which she would display at a local senior center and the Burlingame Public Library. She loved being an active member of her church and community, and found so much joy in helping others. Her fiery spirit and unconditional love for all made Jean an incredible inspiration to so many, and she will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life in Jean’s Honor will be scheduled for summer/fall 2021 post Covid-19 indoor restrictions.