Jean Lees Ehrenhaft

EHRNEHAFT, DOIDGE, LOVETT, STEGERS, KEEPERS, ALBERT

Posted By: Harvey W. Henry (email)
Date: 5/24/2007 at 22:15:49

Iowa City Press-Citizen
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Jean Ehrenhaft, 88

Jean Lees Ehrenhaft, 88, died Friday, May 18, 2007, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Jean, the daughter of Canadian parents, Jennie Ramidge Doidge and Steven Newton Lovett, was born on January 21, 1919, in Spokane, Washington.The family returned to Canada.

There, Jean spent her early childhood in Dundas and Hamilton, Ontario. She then moved with her parents to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they lived for about a year. The family later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Jean completed elementary school and graduated from high school. In 1941, she received her Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy from Milwaukee Downer College (later merged with Lawrence College to become Lawrence University).

During World War II, Jean held positions as an Occupational Therapist at state hospitals in Long Island, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio. She was then employed at the University of Iowa, as head of the Occupational Therapy Department based at the University's Psychiatric Hospital, a position she held for over forty years, retiring in 1987.

Jean enjoyed sports. In college, she was a member of the rowing team, and loved flying. She later earned her private pilot's license. Her favorite outdoor activities included hiking in the woods and mountains, observing animals in the wild, freshwater fishing, mushroom hunting, and caring for birds and backyard animals around her home. She loved and collected art, and was an avid reader, and an excellent cook. Jean also enjoyed travel. Her trips, to five continents, included a visit to China as the member of a group of professional women ambassadors, and a trip to Europe as a "People to People" ambassador.

Throughout the six decades that she lived in Iowa, Jean was an active participant in community and University activities and organizations. These included the Dancing Club and Music Club, in Iowa City; and the Triangle Club, University Club, and Print Club at the University of Iowa. She was a supporter of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Counsel, involved with the United Nations Association, and proud to be a member and active participant in the Altrusa Club of Iowa City for over 43 years.

Jean's family includes her husband of 53 years, Dr. Johann L. Ehrenhaft, M.D., of Iowa City; a younger sister, Edith A. Steger, born in Minneapolis, formerly of Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, now residing in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; a niece, Jennie L. (Steger) Keepers, her husband Craig Scott Keepers, and their children Kara and Brian, all of Eden Prairie; a stepson, J. Bruce Ehrenhaft, his wife Alexis Jepeway Ehrenhaft, and their son Christian Anthony Ehrenhaft, all of Coral Gables, Florida; a brother-in-law, Dr. Seymour M. (Cy) Albert, M.D., of Sarasota, Florida, a nephew, Dr. Arthur S. Albert, M.D., of Manhattan, New York, and a niece, Dr. Deborah L. Albert, M.D., of Tampa, Florida.

At Jean's request, no services will be held.