Obituary for Jeanine Williamson

Jeanine Williamson of Maple Grove recently passed away at the age of 87, surrounded by family. She was born in Grand Forks during the great heat wave of 1936, when her mother slept outside during the sultry July and August nights. The second child of Edgar and Josephine Gorman, she grew up in a busy household that eventually totaled four siblings. Jeanine and her older brother spent summers on a farm in western North Dakota with her beloved grandparents and uncles. Those experiences bequeathed treasured memories. Active in high school at Grand Forks Central, she was a class officer, selected for Girls' State, and sang in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She matriculated to the University of North Dakota where she majored in Social Work.

Following her graduation, she met her future husband Bruce Williamson at his church in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. After a speedy courtship, they married in 1960. Brief periods in Mora, Minnesota and the University of Illinois eventually brought them to River Falls, Wisconsin, where they raised their 3 children. After the youngest reached school age, Jeanine began work as an administrative assistant at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and later the local school district. Among her most proud accomplishments was leading a successful unionization effort that eventually made her union steward for district clerical workers.

She was a key member of her church and an active volunteer in the community. A highly skilled bridge player, Jeanine enjoyed hosting dinner parties, culminating in her epic Christmas Eve dinners. She loved her neighborhood and her wide circle of friends. After the children left and she and Bruce retired, they travelled extensively to Europe and Asia. The two of them also bought a "winter house" in Mesa, Arizona, where they reconnected with old friends and explored the desert. She loved collecting these memories into photo albums that detailed their many adventures.

The last decades of her life were also blessed with seven grandchildren. Jeanine indulged them with care, concern, and clothes shopping expeditions. She enjoyed a perch right outside the changing room, ready to critique the new outfits, just as she did cheering on their games and artistic performances. These pleasures were cut short by dementia, which she fought with gusto. Jeanine's active mind did not succumb easily to the disease and she did her best to remain connected to her loved ones.

Jeanine was preceded in death by her parents and elder brother, along with a daughter who died in childbirth. Her legacy includes 63 years of marriage to Bruce, her three surviving children, her cherished siblings, the grandchildren, and many friends. She will be remembered by the love she gave and the lives she nurtured.

A memorial service will be held December 27th at Evans Nordby Funeral Home, 6000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center. It begins at 4pm with conversation to follow. Memorials in Jeanine's honor may be sent to Second Harvest Heartland or your local food shelf.