Jean Dettmer obituary
Jean Helen Dettmer, 88, of Lake City, Minn. passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Lake City Care Center, surrounded by her loving daughters and son-in-law. She was born May 2, 1933 to Einer and Hilda Christensen in Tyler, Minn. The sixth of nine children, Jean was born into a large immigrant family. Due to her mother’s limited English, her siblings were given the task of naming her – after Gene Autry. Growing up during the Depression, Jean learned the value of hard work including picking up coal on the side of the railroad tracks to heat the family home and working as a hired girl for 25 cents a week.
In 1956, Jean married Clarence Dettmer of Lake City. Together they had four children. Jean worked at various jobs, from the corner store in her hometown, to the U.S. Air Force. Jean retired after 32 years working as a cost accountant at AE Goetze. After retirement she enjoyed traveling the world, including a visit to her mother’s birthplace in Mon, Denmark.
Jean baked the world’s best molasses cookies, was a huge fan of the Vikings, and enjoyed volunteering at her church and at the local VFW. Some of her best memories took place at the VFW, where she enjoyed working Taco Tuesday night alongside the other ‘Taco-ettes’. Jean instilled the value of an education and the importance of helping those less fortunate to her children.
Jean is survived by her daughters Kim and Cheryl (Paul), six grandchildren; Brady (Melissa), Mitchell (Kari), Spencer, Leslie, Solveig, and Dane; five great grandchildren; Hudson, Brooks, Elsie, Bristol, and Shiloh; her brother, Howard (Mary Ann) and sister Alice; sisters-in-law Margie and Joan; numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country; and relatives in Denmark.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Vesta, Gladys, and Shirley; brothers Melvin, Harold, Danny; and her beloved children Rick and Stephanie; and former husband, Clarence.
Celebration of life will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Masks are required. Burial at a later date at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.