| Honored by: | Alexander John Irvine |
| Brick location: | F:16 map |
Mary Jean was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on November 27, 1922 - the only child of John G. F. and Nina Mae (Owens) Uecke. After earning her Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture at Iowa State College she returned to Oshkosh. The graduation gift of a Morgan horse launched her lifelong love of horses, a central part of her continuous giving to others. In 1983 she was honored with the American Morgan Horse Association's national Youth Person of the Year award. This was just one of countless awards received for teaching, leading, and loving youths through programs in AMHA, 4-H, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, church, and Girl Scouts. She and her husband of 62 years, Alexander, have raised six children on their farm near Oshkosh. At 90 years of age Mary Jean continues to raise horses and help local children by teaching kids to care for animals and by giving horseback riding lessons (including to some of her dozen grandchildren). The one phrase that best describes Mary Jean is: "giving to others." She has given without measure to her husband, children, friends, and students, and is loved by all.
Submitted 12/26/94; updated 10/20/2013