Jean Lipke

Age 86, of North Oaks, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on January 11, 2024.

Jean loved music from a young age and it touched every part of her life. She shined as the lead vocalist in many local productions, took center stage in the University of Minnesota's theater program, including performing for multiple years on the Minnesota Centennial Showboat. She graduated from the University of MN in 1960 with Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Speech, with concentration in Music and Theater. Jean was student teaching in music when she met the man who would become her husband of 59 years. Jean and Carl H. married on Aug. 8, 1964. Together they built a family and spread their time between teaching, musical productions, choir rehearsals and performances, and adventures at their lake property in Grand Rapids, MN.

Jean was a singer with Sweet Adelines, a singer and choreographer for the 3M Music Makers. She taught English, Speech, Drama and directed numerous theater productions and musicals at St. Mary's in Faribault, Sioux City, Iowa, Brooklynn Center High School, Visitation School, and North St. Paul High School.

She is preceded in death by parents, Evald and Virginia Larson.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Carl H.; children, Carl S. (Amy) and Jennifer

(Dan) Jay; grandchildren, Dara (Cory) Brietzke, Cammie (Dustin) Smith, Sam

(Kennedi), and Kristian; great-grandchildren, Cece and Arlo Brietzke, Lincoln and

Felicity Smith; siblings, Polly (Kenneth) Tate and David (Elouise) Larson; along with innumerable close family members and friends.

In celebration of Jean, funeral service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, January 16, at Salem Lutheran Church (11 W. Bernard St. W, St. Paul). Visitation one hour prior. Reception to follow service. Interment at Sunset Cemetery in Minneapolis - immediate family only.

In lieu of monetary gifts, the family is asking that donations be made in Jean's memory to Salem Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.