Jeanne Harriet Jaeger

Jeanne Harriet Jaeger, 93, died peacefully on April 20, 2018, with her family by her side. 

Jeanne was born to Grace and Armin Grunzke in Minnesota Lake, Minn., on May 11, 1924. She married Donald Jaeger on June 14, 1945. Together they raised five children and farmed in Mapleton, Minn. Jeanne supported Don through more than 60 years of marriage, including Don's long-term battle with Parkinson's disease.

Jeanne's life focused on her family. She attended hundreds of high school football and basketball games and took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Through the years, she spent untold hours making homemade cinnamon rolls, ice cream, chocolate sauce, apple pie and other family favorites. Jeanne loved to visit and was an avid card player and devoted friend and daughter. She was also an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mapleton. Jeanne saw the best in everyone. She will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness and optimism — and her tendency to worry about those she held dear.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Rick and Benay Jaeger, Bruce and Janet Jaeger, Doug and Beverly Jaeger, Debbie and Jim Sandelin, Reid and Joan Jaeger; grandchildren and their spouses, Amy and Mike Halverson, Ann and Chad Swanson, Melissa and Ron Redetzke, Matt and Jacquie Jaeger, Jeff and Jane Jaeger, Jillian Jaeger, Allison and Chris Berena, Grace Hinton, Levi Hinton, Cosette Jaeger, Montana Jaeger, Brooke Sandelin, Lauren Sandelin, Davis Jaeger, Rachel Jaeger, Anna Jaeger, Lydia Jaeger; and great-grandchildren, Grace Halverson, Hank Halverson, Ethan Swanson, Audrey Swanson, Katherine Redetzke, Lauren Redetzke, Tobey Jaeger, Joy Jaeger, Preston Jaeger, Livian Jaeger, Beatrice Berena.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mapleton, with burial to follow at Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home in Mapleton and from 10 to 11 a.m. on April 27 at St. John's. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mapleton or the Parkinson’s Foundation.