Mary Jean Lidstrand

Mary Jean Lidstrand, age 84, lifetime resident of Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2006 at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, Minnesota where she had resided since 2003. She was born on All Saints Day, November 1, 1921 in Jamestown to Frank and Helen (Jaskowski) Wiehoff, who were of German/Polish descent. She grew up in Jamestown and many of her childhood memories were from the ‘alley gang' of friends that lived near the Central Hotel and Fire Hall. The Wiehoff family lived above the fire hall when her dad served as Fire Chief. Mary Jean graduated from St. John's Academy in 1939.

She attended nurses training and graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in Fargo in1943. Mary Jean and Vernon Lidstrand were united in marriage the morning of March 22, 1943 at St. James Catholic Church in Jamestown. They made their home in Jamestown where she worked as a private duty nurse and at Central Dakota Nursing Home until she retired. Vernon died in 1986.

She is a member of the Basilica of St. James and had been a member of Our Lady of Rosary Circle and St. James Tabernacle Society. She enjoyed gardening, dancing-especially to Glenn Miller tunes, Swedish coffee, and visiting with friends. Mary Jean was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her good natured spirit, sense of humor and candor will be missed by many.

Survivors include her children,
David Lidstrand of Oroville, WA,
Michael Lidstrand of Prescott Valley, AZ,
Patricia (Erik) Christensen of Baxter, MN,
Marianne (Michael) Harris of Aurora, CO,
Thomas Lidstrand of Portland, OR,
Grandchildren, Sarah and Leah Christensen, Paul and Elizabeth Harris, and Karissa and Katriona Lidstrand,
Sister, Elizabeth "Bette" Jarrett of Lincoln, NE,
Sister-in-law Joanne Lidstrand of Fargo, ND
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two infant daughters, infant son, two sisters and one infant brother.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2006 at the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at Lisko Funeral Chapel from 4:00 PM with Parish Rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a Prayer Service.

Memorials are preferred to St. John's Academy.