Jean C. Gronseth, 87, peacefully entered Heaven on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth with her family at her side.

Jean Carol Johnson was born on Feb. 24, 1924, the third of seven children to Selmer and Cora (Martin) Johnson in Sargeant, Minn. She was baptized on May 18, 1924, and confirmed in the Christian faith on May 21, 1939, at Evanger Lutheran Church in rural Sargeant. She attended school in rural Sargeant.

She married Charles Martin Gronseth on Oct. 5, 1944, and they had three children from their union, Dennis, Linda, and Carol. “Chuck” passed away on May 13, 1972. Jean was a homemaker caring for her children and dedicating herself to her daughter, Carol. She was instrumental in giving Carol the special education available to her. Jean worked in the cafeteria at Libby’s for many years and then in food service at St. Marys Hospital after which she joined Security and retired in 1990 with 17 years of service. Jean was a meticulous seamstress, sewing clothes for herself and her young children and grandchildren.

Her talents with a needle and thread also included crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, and craft projects. Her most recent passion was quilting. She lovingly stitched more than one quilt for each of her family members. She also made numerous baby quilts for the Faith Chest for the newly baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, where she was a charter member. Jean loved to dance, whether a graceful waltz or peppy polka. She also found great pleasure in bowling, playing cards, following the Minnesota Twins, mall walking, coffee with friends, letter writing, and phone conversation. She enjoyed extended family gatherings and reunions. Above all, Jean relished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson, Nick.

Those left to cherish Jean’s memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and David Grande of Byron; special daughter, Carol Gronseth of Rochester; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Chad and Michelle Grande of Oronoco; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Anissa and Nathan Shores of Burnsville, Minn.; great-grandson, Nicholas Grande of Oronoco. She is also survived by two sisters, Shirley (Orlyn) Gulbransen of Hayfield, Minn., and Gayle (Earl) Buchan of Minneapolis; two sisters-in-law, Frances Martin, of Hayfield and Adeline Moen, of Austin; three brothers-in-law, Stanley (Ellen) Gronseth of Hayfield, Wallace Gronseth of Hayfield and James (Janice) Gronseth of Dexter, Minn.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Charles; son, Dennis; parents, Selmar and Cora; brother, Orville Johnson and three sisters, Marcella Schulz, Audrey Holien and Clarence Elverum.

A Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Christ Lutheran Church, 201 Frontage Road NW in Byron with Rev. Steve Rheingans officiating. Family and friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Byron Cemetery.