Jeanne Gervais
Jeanne Gervais, the daughter of Paul and Ethel (Sampson) Meier, was born on July 26, 1921 in Winona, MN. She grew up in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1939. After attending the College of St. Theresa in Winona, she worked in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian Institute in 1941. Jeanne was then offered a teaching position at Immaculate Heart of Mary school in Currie, MN, where she taught math and business classes. It was there where she met her love, Vincent J. Gervais. Jeanne was united in marriage to Vincent in October of 1943 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Winona. After their marriage they lived and farmed near Currie and while raising her family, Jeanne was active as a 4-H Club Leader and in the Murray County Extension Club. Over the years, she served in various capacities for the Catholic Daughters: secretary, treasurer and also as a guild leader. She served on the Parish Council and as a CCD teacher as well. Jeanne was a talented seamstress, often using her talent to sew for others. She took great pride in maintaining her home, flowers, vegetable gardens and large yard as long as she was able to do so. It gave her joy to share garden produce with family, neighbors and friends. She so enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Jeanne’s favorite pastime was playing cards with family and friends, until the progression of macular degeneration would no longer allow her to do so. Jeanne was a faithful hospice volunteer for many years. Life comes full-circle, and our family is so grateful for how the hospice organization ministered to our mother and to our families in these last years. Jeanne and Vince’s faith and family were the center of their lives. Even though Vince preceded Jeanne in death by many years -1990- Jeanne continued to put her trust in Christ and His Promises as she walked alone. And that faith gave her the strength to continue on, never complaining, even through some difficult times. After another stroke in 2010, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Robert and Marianne Ankrum in Tracy, MN, for a little over three years. Jeanne then moved to Our House Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, MN where she lived for 17 months. Following that, she resided at the Prairie View Senior Living Center in Tracy for 19 months. Even though it was not easy to give up her independence, Jeanne did it with grace. She playfully described herself as a “tough old bird,” to which we can all attest. Jeanne passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, MN at the age of 94. Blessed be her memory.
Survivors include her 8 children, Patricia Gervais, Rochester, MN, Joan (Larry) Lanoue of Garvin, MN, Tom (fiancée, Sue Liebfried) Gervais of Tracy, MN, Jim (Desneige) Gervais of Currie, MN, Marianne (Robert) Ankrum of Tracy, MN, Paul (Pam) Gervais of Tracy, MN, Lucy (Dan) Mattson of Lakeville, MN and Philip (Billie) Gervais of Slayton, MN; 26 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and brother, Dave (Nora) Meier of Deer Lodge, MT. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Vince, sons, John and William (Philip’s twin brother), brothers, Stanley, Charles and Gerald Meier and sisters Patricia and Josephine Meier.
Funeral services were held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Currie, MN on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting celebrating. The organist was Patty LeClaire. The song leader was Liz Barton. The pallbearers were her grandchildren. Interment at Calvary Cemetery Currie, MN. Memorials are preferred to Hospice.
Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com
