Jean Madeline Lucas (Kudej) was born on July 8, 1922 to Edward Chauncy Kudej and Dora

 Kudej (Fogue) in Mason City, Iowa. Jean spent her childhood years in Clear Lake, Iowa which

 was on the "Big Band Circuit." She loved music and enjoyed attending concerts, collecting

autographs from movie stars, band leaders, and musicians.

After graduating high school she moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she found work at North

American Aviation as a "Rosie the Riveter" building P-51 Mustangs and B-25 Bombers during

World War II. She lived in Los Angeles for a number of years, and gave birth to her first son,

Michael, before relocating to Richland, WA joining the rest of her family, who had moved to

Washington from Iowa to work on the Manhattan project at Hanford.

Jean met Kenneth Lucas after moving to Washington, and they married on November 22, 1951 in

Richland, WA. They had four boys, Ken, Jonathan, Jeffrey, and Christopher.

 Jean worked for Battelle in the dosimetry department until her retirement in 1984. After

retirement, she and Ken enjoyed travel, especially to Arizona, stained glass artwork, painting,

gardening, and family gatherings.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Woodrow Lucas, parents Edward and Dora Kudej, brothers James Kudej and Dean Kudej, and sister Elaine Herald (Kudej).

She is survived by her sons, Michael Edward (Yvonne) Lucas, Ken Kevin (Brenda) Lucas,

Jonathan Guy (Jordene) Lucas, Jeffrey James (Becky) Lucas, and Christopher Dean (Debbie)

Lucas; grandchildren Cara Nichole (Oscar) Carrasco, Kyle Christopher (Martin) Lucas, Paige

Castagno and Dylan Lucas; great-granddaughters Lilyana Madeline Carrasco and Ava Mae

Carrasco; nephew Craig Herald and beloved niece Lori (John) Horton.

A private family service will be held on Saturday, March 12 at Einan's at Sunset.