Jean Eleanor Holmgren, 89, of Willmar, died Tuesday, June 9th at her home in Willmar. We will remember Jean on Saturday, June 13th at 11:00 am at Calvary Lutheran Cemetery for a graveside service. Please bring your own lawn chair. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org
Jean was born August 18, 1930, in Wadena, Saskatchewan, Canada, the daughter of C. Theodore and Ollie (Sandbo) Birkland. After returning to United States, her family settled in Dovre Township where she attended District #62 and graduated from Willmar High School in 1948.
While working as a clerk for Great Northern she met her husband to be, Donald Holmgren. They were united in marriage on October 2, 1955, at Calvary Lutheran Church. She continued to work as a clerk for Burlington Northern, retiring in 1993.
She was baptized in Canada and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran in 1945. She was a dedicated and faithful member of Calvary having served on the altar guild, worked in the library, participated in a Bible study, NTY, WELCA, Christ Care, Circle and other small groups.
Her Norwegian heritage was important to her as she belonged to Sons of Norway. When her and Don weren’t hosting 4th of July gatherings at their cabin on Lake Florida, she could be found quilting either at home or with the Country Quilters previously known as Sewing Bee.
Surviving are her sons, Craig (and Lori) Holmgren of Willmar and Steve (and Shelly) Holmgren of Maple Grove; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister, Marion Rusten and sister-in-law, Laverna Birkland both of Willmar.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, on September 25, 2016; brothers Clarence and A. Donald, and sisters, Lucille Hultgren and Audrey Currie.
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