Jean (Engel) Rohrer

Jean Yvonne Rohrer, age 89, passed away May 3, 2016, surrounded by family and those that loved and cared for her at Highgate Senior Living. Jean was born on February 18, 1927, in Kenmare, N.D. to Otto and Gladys Engel.

On August 23, 1949 she married Charles, her adoring husband of 59 years. They met as students at Minot State University (ND) where she majored in music with a minor in speech therapy. After teaching first grade in Underwood N.D. for two years, they moved to Virginia, where Jean taught in the Richmond Schools while Charles was stationed at Ft. Lee during the Korean Conflict. In 1954 the couple moved to Billings where they raised three daughters and Jean began teaching piano. Over the years she shared her passion with upwards of 1000 students. Active in national, state and local music associations for many years, Jean served a two year term as MSMTA President. As an adjudicator she was highly regarded all over the Northwest. In 2010 the BMTA recognized her as Music Teacher Emeritus and in 2014 she was awarded the Foundation Fellow distinction by the MTNA.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, “Charlie”; and youngest daughter, Barbara Dawn Clark.

Jean is survived by her brother, Dean (Kay) Engel, Grand Forks, ND; daughters Carol (Jim) Bingham, Chicago, IL, Debby (Dana) Porter, Casper, WY; and son-in-law Jeff Clark, Billings. Also surviving are three grandsons, Kyle (Melissa) Porter, Montgomery, AL, Dusty (Becka) Porter, Casper, WY and Adam Porter, Denver, CO and two great-grandsons, Tait and Toby Porter, Casper, WY.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, May 16 at 9 AM at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 1935 Avenue B. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Billings Music Teachers Association c/o Sandy Soltis, 11775 EW Tenny Road, Shepherd, MT. 59079.