Jean Danner Thompson

Jean Danner Thompson, 88, passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2021 at Altru Hospital surrounded by her son Mel Danner, daughter Kristi Qualley and grandson Todd Danner.

Jean was born December 31, 1932 in Grand Forks, N.D., the daughter of Ina (Quammen) and Clarence Knudson. She spent most of her childhood in Grand Forks and graduated from Central High School in 1950.

Jean met Charles (Chuck) Don Danner while attending the University of North Dakota. They married on December 8, 1951 and made their home on the Danner farmstead near Johnstown N.D. where they raised their 5 children together until Chucks tragic death in 1967. She continued to live on the farm after Chuck died and raised 5 children on her own. In 1984 Jean married Gene Thompson from East Grand Forks. 

Jean worked in accounting/billing/potato brokerage for most of her adult life until she retired in Grand Forks N.D. Jean was active at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church wearing many different hats through the years. She was on the board of the Grand Forks Historical Society and the Rosendahl Lutheran Church in Reynolds N.D. She was an avid reader and many will remember her love for diet Pepsi. 

Jean enjoyed going to her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s school activities, music and sporting events through the years. She loved spending time at Lake Bemidji and Lake of the Woods in summers. She was an excellent cook although she really did not like to cook.

Jean was an amazing mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was full of love, peace, patience and faithfulness. Jean was selfless. She will be greatly missed by all the peoples lives she has touched through the years.

Jean is survived by her children, Mel Danner, Kristi (David) Qualley, Carla Danner Cole, 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, sister, Diane (Bill) Easton, 2 sister in laws, and many many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Ed and Curt Knudson, daughter, Randy Danner, son, Max Danner, daughter in law, Barbra Danner, husband, Charles Danner and Gene Thompson.

Please join us for a graveside memorial service and interment on Friday May 21, 2021 at 2:00PM at Gilby Prairie Home Cemetery with reception/lunch to follow immediately after at Forest River Community Hall in Forest River N.D.