Jeanne Vangsness

Jeanne E. Vangsness, age 86, of Glenwood, MN, passed away on December 27, 2019, at Country Manor Health Care in Sartell, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Congregational UCC in Ortonville, MN. Pastor Lynn Thomas will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, and one hour prior to services, both at the Congregational UCC in Ortonville. Interment will be in Mound Cemetery.

Jeanne Elizabeth (Green) Vangsness was born in Ortonville, MN, on August 1, 1933, to Leslie and Alice (McDonald) Green. She grew up in Ortonville and graduated as Valedictorian from Ortonville High School in 1951. Following graduation, Jeanne worked at Minneapolis General Hospital and completed her Registered Nursing Degree. She worked as a surgical and psychiatric nurse at Miller Hospital in St. Paul and as a newborn and premature baby nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Minneapolis.

Jeanne married Marlyn “Bud” Vangsness on October 1, 1960, and they moved to a farm ten miles east of Ortonville. The farm was a big change from the city, living without indoor plumbing for four years before they moved to a newer home. Jeanne left her nursing career to become a farmwife, and eventually a mother to their four children. These were busy years, but Jeanne had fond memories of all the good times: playing cards, picnics, and visiting friends and relatives.

Jeanne earned an Associate of Arts degree at Willmar Community College, and then a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at St. Cloud State University. She worked as a substitute teacher in Willmar and took training to become a nursing assistant. She thoroughly enjoyed a 15-year career working at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Jeanne retired in 1999 and moved to Glenwood, MN. While living there, she assisted at the elementary school as a volunteer classroom grandmother for eleven years. She lived in Glenwood Estates for 8 years.

Jeanne’s hobbies and interests included reading, counted cross-stitch, and music. She also enjoyed collecting dolls and snowmen and sewing many items for her many grandkids.

Jeanne is survived by: her children, Mike Vangsness (Amber Joy) of Buffalo, MN; Gary (Marcia) Vangsness of Odessa, MN; Mark (Tina) Vangsness of Morton, MN; Julie Vangsness of St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren: Tony, Nikki, Jamie, Megan, Ashley, Jennifer, Kendell, Paige, Spencer, Gary Jr., and Sophia; great-grandchildren: Zoey, Skyler, Emily, Izeta, Mason, Leslie, Keegan, Brooklynn, Marleigh, Camden, Declan, and Fletcher; Step-grandchildren: Michelle, Ash Lee, Dalilah, Haylee, and Clayton; step-great-grandchildren: Hailey, Ty, Samuel, Landon, and Josephina; sister, Margaret (Glenn) Fishbeck; nephews: Steve Fishbeck; and Dan (Carolyn) Fishbeck; great-nieces: Meagan (DJ) Ferrise; and Grace Fishbeck; and Marlyn “Bud” Vangsness.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; aunts; uncles; some cousins; and many dear friends.