Jean E. Larson

Jean Elaine Gedde

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The memorial service for Jean Elaine (Gedde) Larson of Baudette, MN will be on Saturday September 3rd 11 am at First Lutheran Church in Baudette.  Visitation is one hour prior to service.  Jean passed away August 26th at Mayo Hospital-New Prague, MN after a courageous battle with cancer.  Jean was 66 years old.

Jean was born on November 16, 1949 to George and Shirley (Borchers) Gedde in Bertha, MN.  Several years later, the family moved to Pillager, MN where her father owned the Gambles Store.  Jean attended Pillager school graduating in 1966.  She attended St Cloud State University majoring in elementary education and minoring in music.   She was a Resident Assistant and was active in the marching band.  Jean started dating her future husband Michael Larson of Brainerd after meeting him at the “real” Paul Bunyan in Brainerd where each worked.  Jean and Mike were married on March 21, 1970.  Jean graduated from St Cloud State in June, 1970. 

Jean’s first job was a teacher assistant at Pillager elementary school.  Her second job was Head Start in Pine River.  The family moved to Fergus Falls in 1973 when Mike got a job there.  On December 23, 1974 Eric Michael was born.  Three years later, Julie Beth was born.  Jean enjoyed her days raising the kids.  June 1, 1980 was a big change for the family.  Mike was appointed the new Area Fisheries Supervisor for the Baudette, MN office of the DNR.  The move was for only 5 or 6 years.  The family loved the area and people so they stayed.

Jean started as a substitute teacher and became a permanent first grade teacher in the mid 1980’s.   She loved teaching the little kids and watching them blossom.  She really enjoyed her co-workers.  She always wanted to teach full time every day kindergarten and she did that her last year before retiring in June 2009.

Jean enjoyed traveling, camping, visiting with family and friends, making jewelry and watching the Vikings.  She loved to kick back and read a book.  Her favorite activity was visiting and holding her new granddaughter Allison.  In recent years, Jean and Mike traveled south for a winter get away.  She was looking forward to traveling to Texas this winter in their new fifth wheel.  But, now she is teaching kindergarten for a higher authority.  We will miss her lots but not forget that smile and wit she brought.  We will meet again “Mean” Jean as her friends and nurses called her.  Keep watch over us and give us strength to enjoy every day and be productive.

Proceeding in death are her parents George and Shirley, and her oldest brother Gary.  She is survived by her husband Mike, her son family Eric, Kelli and Allison of Maple Grove, MN and daughter Julie of Eden Prairie, MN; brother, David of Gonvick, MN; sister, Joyce of Coeur d'Alene, ID.

 Service Information