Jean Ann Slindee, 89, of Blackduck, Minn., died on Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Blackduck, with Rev. Anne Meredith officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 29 at Cease Funeral Home in Blackduck and one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Blackduck, Minn.
Jean Ann Slindee was born on August 2, 1930, in La Crosse, Wis., to Selmer and Alice (Lee) Strand. Jean graduated from La Crosse High School in 1948 and attended La Crosse State Teachers College for one year and then Luther College for one year to earn her elementary teaching degree. Jean taught several years in Grand Meadow, Minn.
She married Neal Slindee on August 8, 1953. Jean and Neal had three sons: Eric, Peter, and Phillip. Jean and Neal moved to the Blackduck area in 1960. Following Neal’s death, she worked as a licensed real estate agent for Nestle Grimes Realty for the next 30 years.
Jean’s hobby has always been volunteering. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving on every committee except treasurer. Jean was ahead of her time as she was the first woman city council member, and the first woman president of the Blackduck Civic and Commerce Assn. Jean was also on the founding board of the Blackduck Senior Center. She was a member of the Good Samaritan Advisory Board. She worked many years to have the assisted living addition built and lived there for the past five years. In 2016, she was the Minnesota Care Providers Volunteer of the Year that recognized her for her decades of volunteering to help others.
Jean enjoyed traveling to many places including Europe and Norway. Her second trip to Norway, she traveled with her three sons. She took each grandchild to Washington D.C. Jean liked to entertain friends, but she especially loved spending time with her family.
Jean is survived by her son Eric (Lori) Slindee of Harmony, Minn., Pete (Karen) Slindee of Eugene, Oreg., and Phil (Kari) Slindee of Blackduck, Minn. Jean has four grandchildren: Luke (Meg) Slindee, Daniel Slindee, Katie (Kevin) Manzke, and Kristie Slindee.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband Neal Slindee in 1980, and her parents Selmer and Alice Strand.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Zion Lutheran Church of Blackduck and/or The Good Samaritan Assisted Living of Blackduck in Jean’s name.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com.