Jane Alanen

Jane Ellen was born on August 16, 1936 to Swante and Olga (Makela) Kumpula in Duluth, MN. When she was 8, the family bought a farm in Sebeka, MN where she lived until she graduated from high school. Farm life was hard, she did much of the outside work with her brother Jerry, and had no interest in ever milking a cow again! Her childhood was memories of the farm, milk toast, gardening and being outside.

Jane graduated from Sebeka High School at age 17, with honors. She moved to Minneapolis, MN where she found her first job as a switchboard operator and moved into an apartment with other single girls. Having not traveled as a child and having an adventurous spirit, the next several years she and girlfriends would take the bus and train to different congregations, get a job and apartment and enjoy the area. She loved the Longview/Astoria area and made lifelong friends there.

On September 16, 1961, Jane married Arvo William (Bill) Alanen in Minneapolis, MN. They moved to Longview, WA briefly but moved back to Minneapolis where they settled for the next several years. During this time, they welcomed their daughter, Kate, son Ken and son Aaron.

In 1971, the family moved to Scottsdale, AZ and became active members in the small Phoenix Laestadian Congregation. Their home was often filled with company and she enjoyed playing her organ while everyone sang songs of Zion. There were many visitors from Canada and Finland as well, they loved to host. She was very active in the congregation and contributed her musical talent playing the organ for services and conducting musical productions. She was also very active with the church songbook with years of research that contributed to the songbook used today. Her faith was strong and unwavering and she lived her life accordingly.

Jane was a lifelong student with a curious mind. She researched and had many notebooks filled with notes on many varied subjects. After her kids left home, she started to attend college and at age 57, graduated with her bachelors degree in music, making the President’s List each year. She loved music, sewing and crafts and shared those talents with many of the children in the congregation throughout her life and contributing to the church functions.

Jane did alterations for many years and also worked as a Kelly Girl and enjoyed organizing businesses that needed assistance. This work gave her the flexibility to travel and raise her family.

She loved to travel. In her lifetime she traveled to most of the states in the US, she also traveled to Finland and other parts of Europe as well as Canada and Mexico. She researched prior to all of her trips, kept a diary and made scrapbooks of her travels.

Her children remember the many camping trips we went on around Arizona where she had researched the Indian ruins and we would learn about them. We also remember her giving nature, she volunteered throughout her life and shared her talents with both the church and her community. She loved keeping busy and was still teaching at the end of her life.

In April of 2017, Bill and Jane moved to Menahga, MN to enjoy their golden years near where they both grew up. Bill passed shortly after the move. Jane enjoyed her home and had many friends that spent time with her.

Our mom was a woman of quiet strength. She graciously worked through life’s challenges and relied heavily on her faith for strength and support. She did not like being in the spotlight but actively contributed behind the scenes.

Jane passed away quietly on March 20, 2025 in Fargo, ND at the age of 88.

Jane loved her family. She leaves behind her daughter Kate (Rick) Medley of Fargo, ND, son Ken (Donna) Alanen of Safford, AZ, son Aaron (Anne) Alanen of Albuquerque, NM. She also leaves 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

She also leaves behind her siblings, Jerry (Lorene) Kumpula, Joyce Hongisto, Eugene (Joyce) Kumpula, Gordy (Loraine) Kumpula, Judy Tulkki, Dan (Fran) Kumpula, Steve (Cheryl) Kumpula, Jeannette (Steve) Forstie and Julie (John) Ojalehto as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She had a life well lived.

Memorial services will be held on April 6, 2025 at 2pm at the Menahga Laestadian Congregation, 25 Juniper Ave NW, Menahga, MN 56464. There will be lunch served after the service. All are welcome.

Memorials may be made to the Menahga Laestadian Congregation in remembrance of Jane.

Please feel free to share any memories of Jane, we would love to hear about them.