Jean Alma Wendt (Johnston)

St. Paul resident Jean A. Wendt, 84, passed away July 23, 2023, after a short hospital stay as a result of Alzheimers/dementia. A funeral service is to be held Wednesday August 16, 2023, at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home in Roseville, Minnesota at 11:00 AM. Following the service, her interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Mrs. Wendt was born July 1, 1939, in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, to parents James and Lillian Johnston (née Bjurman). She arrived along with her twin sister, Joyce. Jean was one of five sisters, with Leona Bowen, LaVonne “Vonnie” Grams, Joyce Anderson, and Roberta “Bobbie” Houston. She grew up in Cumberland, WI and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1957. After graduation, Jean moved to “the Cities”, St. Paul, MN.

Jean married LeRoy Elmer Wendt May 16, 1959. The newlyweds set up their home in St. Paul. Over the years Jean worked several different jobs. She worked at Union Brass Company just a block from the house. She then found a position at Commonwealth Nursing Home in St. Paul, where she retired after 24 years as the cook.  

Jean and LeRoy had four daughters, Shirley Jean (Aramis Marchetony) Wendt (formerly Rogers), Susan Ann (stillborn), Linda Joyce Turenne, and Nancy Lee (Robert “Bob”) Mitchell, all born in St. Paul and raised at the family home at 584 W. Lawson Avenue. 

Jean enjoyed being the “Favorite Aunt” to many nieces and nephews. She loved to play harmless jokes, and getting them in return. She would fondly tell the story of the “beef roast” she made for her sister Joyce, who wouldn’t eat game meat. Joyce responded with, “This is the best roast, Jean”, and Jean would say with a big grin, “That was not a beef roast, but venison.” Jean loved playing bingo, and listening to traditional religious and country music. She never got her driver’s license. She would try several times, but would say the policeman doing the road test made her nervous. Not having a license didn’t slow her down; she loved visiting family and friends and enjoying many cups of coffee with them. Of course, Jean was always happiest when she was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jean attended her 50-year high school reunion and reconnected with her former classmate, Eugene DeMers. Jean and Gene were companions and partners for the last 14 years.

Grandchildren: Scott Rogers, Marc Rogers, Lindsay Berhanu (Wendt), Betsy Peterson (Mitchell), Melanie Roggenkamp (Mitchell)
Great-grandchildren: Leigha Berhanu, Jazmine Berhanu, Wyatt Peterson, Leonardo ‘Leo’ Peterson, Beau Rogers

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Wendt (June 29, 1986); daughter, Linda Turenne; sisters, Joyce Anderson and Leona Bowen; and great-grandson, Wyatt Peterson.

Jean was a loving wife, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she will always be remembered in our hearts. Rest in peace, until we are all together in heaven.