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Jean (age 88) died from Alzheimer’s on June 20, 2023, at home in Duluth. She was born on July 1,1934, in Fargo, ND, and was adopted as a newborn into the loving home of Janice and Garvin Olson. She grew up in Hatton, ND, with her parents and younger brother, Rolf. After graduating from Hatton High School, she attended St. Olaf College where she earned a degree in Music Education in 1956. She taught for two years before returning to St. Olaf College as the Assistant Dean of Women, where she met her husband, Orwoll (Oz) Anderson, whose mother was Dean of Women at the college.
Jean and Oz were married in September 1959. They lived in Red Wing, MN, and Waupun, WI, before settling in Eau Claire, WI, where they raised their three children. Jean received her Master’s in Music Education from UW-Eau Claire and resumed her teaching career with the Eau Claire Public Schools. After their retirements, Jean and Oz enjoyed 17 years at their homes in Grand Marais, MN, and Surprise, AZ. They moved to Duluth in 2018 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
A gifted pianist from her early age, Jean could play any song in any key, delighting those who sang along with her. She was admired for the professionalism, creativity and joyful music of her school Christmas programs. Jean was an excellent cook and baker, and she was especially known for her fudge and holiday caramels. Jean expressed her faith through church choirs, teaching Sunday School and music, and many other gifts of service over her long life of dedication to her church and community. She had many interests and abilities, but her family was her passion. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife and mother who found her life’s calling as an extraordinary grandma, creating lasting memories with her grandchildren. Jean’s life was further enriched when she was united with her birth siblings and other newly discovered relatives. Her love for family never wavered. Her family felt truly blessed that even through her journey with Alzheimer’s, she called us by name up until her death.
Jean’s welcoming warmth, loving presence, sincere interest in others, and sparkling blue eyes will be dearly missed by her husband of 63 years, Oz; her children, Marnie, Fritz (Stina LaPaugh) and Sonja (Rick Ziegler); grandchildren, Liv, Calvin, Edda, Sophia, Anton and Amira; brother Rolf (Marlys) Olson; her sisters MaryAnn Hagen, Sharon (Jim) Ward and Sandra (Fred) McCracken, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter, Siri Thompson Raskob, son-in-law, Jim Thompson, brother, Eldon Jr. and sister, Barb Espeland.
A memorial service will be held this fall. Memorials preferred to the Lavinia Anderson/ Siri Thompson Raskob Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Olaf College, attn: Development, 1520 St. Olaf Ave. Northfield, MN 55057, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Minnesota Public Radio.
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