Olive Jenson

September 2, 1925 August 13, 2010 Olive Jeane Jenson was born on September 2, 1925, to Earl and Amanda Arneson. She died peacefully in her sleep on August 13, 2010, just short of her 85th birthday. Jeane grew up in South St. Paul, graduated from high school in 1943, and returned to live there as a young wife and later with her family. Though she spent 43 years of her life in Stillwater, she remained a South St. Paul girl at heart. Jeane attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, graduating in 1947. It was there that she met the love of her life, Maurice Jenson. They married on August 31, 1947 and continued to live in Decorah until Maury finished his studies before returning to South St. Paul where two children were born. Jeane and Maury then struck out on their own, purchasing and operating a Ben Franklin Store in Arlington, MN. Owning a store gave Jeane the opportunity to put her love of shopping to good use. She discovered she was as good at selling to people as she was at finding a bargain for herself! Six years later the family moved back to South St. Paul, added a third child, then moved to Stillwater in 1967 when Maury became Business Administrator for School District 834. Jeane was particularly proud of her Norwegian heritage. She maintained many contacts with friends and family in Norway. In their six trips to Norway, Jeane and Maury saw more of that country than have most native Norwegians. Jeane was instrumental in the founding of the Stillwater Syttende Mai Society and worked to raise funds for Vesterheim, the Norwegian American Museum. Jeane was an avid skier, traversing the slopes until the age of 75. A member of the Afton Tuesday Wipeouts, she took many ski trips to Europe. In addition, she and Maury traveled extensively in the US and spent time during the winters in Arizona and Texas. She golfed for many years at the Stillwater Country Club and was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Jeane loved her family and her many friends, remembering them with cards and gifts. She loved to play cards, dominoes, or Scrabble, and she ate a piece of chocolate every day. She had a knack for making people laugh and will be remembered for her quick wit and for the many crazy songs and skits she wrote for parties and other occasions. And she loved the red house she and Maury built in Stillwater, a home she reluctantly left after Maury's death in 2009. Jeane Jenson is survived by her three children: Jerilyn (Stephen) Smith of Racine, WI; Jeffrey (Mary) Jenson of Boulder, CO: Juliann (John Martin) Jenson of Denver, CO; eight grandchildren: Justin (Amanda) Smith; Lindsay (Aaron) Banman; Erika Smith; Nils and Anna Jenson; Jens, Siri, and Charlie Martin; and one great-grandson, Miles Banman. In addition she is survived by her sister Dorothy Gottenborg and her brother Earl Arneson, Jr. Service Friday, 2:00 P.M., at OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1616 Olive Street W., Stillwater. Visitation Thursday, 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard (NW corner of Hwy 36 & Co Rd 5), Stillwater, as well as one hour before the service at the church. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Stillwater. Memorials suggested to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or Luther College, Decorah, IA. 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater 651-439-5511