Jean Severson

Jean Severson passed away Wednesday April 17th at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community after a short battle with cancer. Funeral services will be conducted by Bonnerup Funeral Home at Grace Lutheran Church at 11:00 am on Tuesday April 30th.    The Reverend Jennifer Gonsalves will officiate.  Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery.  Visitation is at Bonnerup Funeral Home on Monday, April 29th from 5-7 P.M., and one hour prior to the service.

Jean was born September 24th 1926 at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea to Arthur and Ruth (Schriner) Michaelis.  Jean was baptized at German Lutheran Church in New Richland and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Jean graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1944 and after graduation went to work for the Navy Department in Washington D.C.  Upon returning she worked as a department manager for Wilson & Company for 12 years and then for Streater Industries for 28 years, holding many managerial duties and retiring as an Administrative Aide to the president Howard Scott.

Jean married Oscar Severson at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Jean was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for 62 years and served two terms on the Church Council.  A Charter member for the Grace Foundation and served for 32 years as the financial recorder.  Jean was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Naeve Hospital Auxiliary, Past President of the DOES Drove #70 and a lifetime member of the Humane Society.  Jean loved playing bridge and reading and also metal detecting with an occasional trip to the casino.  Family and church was the center of her life, especially Sunday morning breakfasts with her family.

Jean was preceded in death by her father and mother Arthur and Ruth Michaelis, husband Oscar, sister Marian and (Carroll) Dammen, brother Richard Michaelis, brother Edward in infancy.  Sisters and brothers-in-law, Hannah (Rueben) Bartness, Mildred (Paul) Foster, Agnes (Richard) Dolmetsch, John (Arlene) Severson, Alda (Ed) Otterstrom, Helen (Harvey) Paulson, Ruby (Delmar) Fredrickson and Jeanne (Dick) Ulve.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Michael (Cynthia) Severson, Mianne (Ross) Wittmer and Mark Severson (Nicole Broskoff).  She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Michelle (Rob) Jenkins Farmington MN, Melanie (Aron) Attig Glenville MN, Dan (Melissa) Wittmer Albert Lea MN, John Wittmer Clarks Grove MN, Lukas Severson Albert Lea MN. Andrew and Grace Jenkins, Michaela, Mason, Mavrick Attig, Liza Wittmer, Owen Bakken, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for all that they did for Jean.

Memorials preferred to the Humane Society, Albert Lea MN and St Croix Hospice, Mankato MN