Jeanne was born on a hot summer day in Minneapolis near Loring Park and grew up just a block and a half from Lake Harriet. The younger of two sisters, she learned resilience early in life and developed a strong sense of independence. Though her relationship with her older sister JoAnn was difficult growing up, the two became close later in life while jointly caring for their aging parents, and Jeanne compassionately cared for JoAnn during her final illness.
Jeanne enjoyed high school and maintained a wide circle of friends, many of whom she still sees monthly. Although she hoped to attend college, family finances made that difficult, and she instead built a steady working life, holding early positions at Prudential and the Department of Agriculture. She later worked in advertising, at Dayton’s engineering department, and as executive secretary to the president of JB Hudson.
Jeanne met her husband, Wain, through mutual friends when she was 23. They married two years later and have now been married for 56 years. Their life together included several moves connected to Wain’s work as a pastor, with time spent in Iowa, San Diego, Portland, and Colorado Springs, before returning to Minneapolis in 1998. Back home, they joined a square dance group and ballroom danced for 15 joyful years, which Jeanne considers some of the best years of their lives.
Jeanne and Wain shared a deep love of cats and bred champion ragdoll cats, traveling across the country for cat shows. Jeanne also enjoys antiquing, sewing, photography, hymns from the 17th and 18th centuries, card and board games, thrift shopping, and meaningful conversation. Her Christian faith is central to her life, and she values sharing stories of gratitude with others.
Jeanne lives in Edina, where she has resided for 20 years. She is a devoted caregiver to Wain, who has Alzheimer’s and has recently entered hospice care. Jeanne would welcome companionship, shared interests, and connection.
