NEWTON — Jean Elizabeth Mathre Biederman, 98, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Newton Village in Newton.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 26, at First United Methodist Church in Osage. The family will greet guests at the church from 9 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service.
Jean was born February 13, 1928, at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, the daughter of Severt and Mary Smith Mathre. She grew up with four siblings on the family farm south of Mason City.
During her youth, Jean enjoyed parties held by the neighborhood Pleasant Ridge Club. She attended a rural school near Mason City before graduating from Mason City High School.
Jean continued her education at Iowa State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in home economics education in 1950.
Her first teaching position was with Olin Consolidated Schools. Jean later joined the County Extension Service as a home economist in Clinton County before accepting an Extension position closer to home in Mitchell County.
A friend eventually introduced Jean to farmer Robert Biederman. The couple connected quickly and were married August 5, 1954.
Jean and Robert established their farm home in Rock Township and raised three children: Jane, Philip and David.
Jean embraced the many responsibilities of farm life. She managed the household, raised her children, tended the garden, sewed, cared for poultry and made a dessert nearly every day.
She supported Jane’s participation in 4-H and encouraged her sons in both 4-H and FFA.
Jean remained active in her community through Methodist Women, the Mitchell County Democrats, Sunshine Circle and the Shakespearean Club.
Jean and Robert typically took their family on a vacation each year, visiting national parks or traveling to Connecticut to see Robert’s sister, Marian.
In 2003, Jean joined Jane’s family for a memorable vacation to Hawaii—an entirely new experience for an Iowa farm wife. She also spent several summers birdwatching with Jane at the Des Moines YMCA Family Camp near Boone.
Those left to cherish Jean’s memory include her brother, Roger Mathre and his wife, Pat, of Mason City; son-in-law, Ken Odland of Newton; daughter-in-law, Marjean Biederman; grandchildren, Nathan Odland of Shakopee, Minnesota, Andrew Biederman and Dean Cliff of Johnston, Tim Biederman and his wife, Emily, of Grundy Center, Kendra Sorenson and her husband, Justin, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Thomas Biederman and his wife, Jessa, of Zumbrota, Minnesota, Michael Odland and his wife, Hope, of Casselberry, Florida, and Matthew Biederman and his wife, Hannah, of Ankeny; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Biederman; daughter, Jane Odland; sons, Phil and Dave Biederman; sisters, Florence Ferden and Mary Ann Watson; and brother, Richard Mathre.
In place of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Osage United Methodist Church, the Des Moines YMCA Camp scholarship fund, the Mitchell County Concert Association or the Mitchell County Food Bank.
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