Jean Sanford Replinger

MARSHALL–Jean Sanford Replinger was a true explorer. On November 16th, 2024, after exploring this earth for 96 years, she turned her compass to the next horizon.

Throughout her life, Jean was always charting the course. The bow of her canoe, the tips of her skis, the handlebars of her bike pointed to that far glimmer in the distance–not only to reach it, but because she knew the journey would be so incredible. And most importantly, that she could share this journey with so many others, encouraging them along the way.

Growing up in Ladysmith, Wisconsin and spending her days on the Flambeau River, Jean would go on to devote much of her life to education and bringing joy to people’s lives through experiences in the wilderness. As faculty at Antioch College in Ohio, Jean developed and led the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center. She took groups of students on hiking trips in the Smoky Mountains; bike trips across the United States, the Canadian Rockies, and Europe; and spelunking expeditions to survey and map cave systems. She also created an international exchange program for teachers, joining cultures and ideas from around the world.

Jean’s passion for nature, for mentoring others, and for bringing people together transformed many institutions and programs, including the Minnesota Outward Bound School in Ely, where she championed and led the first Outward Bound experience for women. She also guided people with disabilities into the wilderness, ensuring that the wonder of the outdoors was available to everyone. As a professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, the next adventure was always just around the corner: winter camping, cross-country skiing, orienteering, whitewater canoeing.

For years to come, Jean will be remembered for the dedication, leadership, and advocacy that she brought to so many organizations: Ski for Light, Mallard Island and the Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation, Bikecentennial, the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, and the Minnesota Environmental Education Council, to name a few.

Strong-willed, Jean was a force of curiosity–as much oak tree as hummingbird. There was no topic or study that her mind didn’t reach, no expedition too daunting. When asked how she’d done so much, how she’d faced so many uncertainties, how she’d always managed to forge ahead with such unending delight and optimism, she didn’t have an answer. It was just who she was. The question itself seemed to surprise her.

Later she recalled a memory. She was outside with a group of others and it began to rain. The others hunched down and ran towards cover. Jean looked up and opened her arms.

If you’ve just seen the red wing of a Cardinal, or the yellow flash of a Goldfinch, or heard the distant call of a Loon–you’ll know that Jean has already found her next adventure.

Jean is survived by her son Eric Replinger, surrogate son Bob (Mary Lou) Norbie, grandchildren Kevin (Sarah) Replinger, Rachel (Ian) Drew-Bell, Kirsten (Jorge) Poveda, and Erik Norbie, along with great-grandchildren and so many deeply held friendships. Jean was preceded in death by her father George Sanford, mother Autie Sanford, husband Randy Replinger, daughter-in-law Lynn Replinger, and brothers Jim and Russ Sanford.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 12th, 2025 at the Southwest Minnesota State University Conference Center in Marshall, MN. Lunch to follow.

Memorials preferred to any of the aforementioned organizations or to those dedicated to caring for our planet and creating inclusive communities.