Jean S. Grinde

Jean Solveig Nelson Grinde, 95, died on Jan 7, 2025 at Edgewood in Fargo. She was surrounded by family and in the care of hospice.

Jean was born on July 13, 1929 in Mayville, ND to Arvid and Martha (Stusrud) Nelson. She grew up on a farm south of Mayville and attended Mayville #2 school through grade 8. She was an only child with many neighborhood friends, some remaining close through her lifetime. She had a room in Mayville during High School, graduating in 1947. Jean later attended Interstate Business College in Fargo.

She met Levon during High School, and they were married on 10/2/1949. They lived and farmed south of Portland until 1963 when Levon was hired by ND Game and Fish. They made the move to Cando where Levon worked as a Game Warden until 1991 when he retired. They then moved to Kindred ND to be closer to family. They moved to Edgewood Village in Fargo in 2006. Levon died in 2012. Jean moved to assisted living at Edgewood in 2022 where she lived until her death.

She was a partner with Levon, working hard on the farm while raising three children. She also cared for her and Levon’s aging parents. After moving to Cando she worked at McKinnon’s Furniture Store for many years as a book keeper.

Jean was always active in the Lutheran church in each community where she lived. She spent many hours participating in women’s organizations. She and Levon particularly enjoyed sharing their expertise at lefse making at many church events. She was actively involved in Bible studies over the years where she made many close friendships. She studied daily, reading the entire Bible several times during her life. She was a strong woman of faith.

After becoming an empty nester, she filled some of her time with her lifelong love of cats. She raised purebred Himalayans, traveling around the Midwest to cat shows and winning many awards.

After retirement, she and Levon spent many winters in Parker, AZ where they enjoyed fishing, entertaining family, going to garage sales and enjoying the sunshine.

They attended many of their grandchildren’s events in Kindred and around North Dakota including basketball games, gymnastics meets, FFA shows, concerts and church events. She is remembered as a loving Grandma who got up early to have caramel rolls ready whenever requested by her granddaughters.

Jean is survived by three children; Karen (Roger) Holien Buehrer of Las Vegas, David (Linda) of Anchorage, JoAnn (Edward) Jameson of Fargo. She has five grandchildren, Brad (Kathy) Holien of Fargo, Jennifer (Donald Prischak) Holien of Naples, Florida, Brooke (Patrick) Thiel of West Fargo, Lindsey (Parker) Metz of Kindred and Mairin (Trystan Chambers) Jameson of Lake Forest Park, Washington. She is survived by 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and Levon.

A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Visitation will take place one hour prior to services. A Burial will be at a later date at Roseville cemetery near Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Hope Blooms or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend a thank you to the staff at Edgewood Fargo Pearls Place for their loving care over the last two years. She was also fortunate to have the care and expertise of the Hospice RRV staff for many months. We are grateful.