Jean Ljungkull

Jean Rew (Yaeger) Ljungkull, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Gunnar Rolf Ljungkull; parents, Christine and Edward Yaeger; son, Jon Ljungkull; and sister, Lysbeth Ann Toribio.

She is survived by daughters, Christine Ljungkull (Doug MacAulay), Jane Ljungkull, and daughter-in-law, Deb Ljungkull. Beloved grandmother to Cara and Ben (Nancy) and great-grandmother to Colin, Henry and Sophia. She will be missed by sister Lila Jones, sister-in-law Greta Garmers, cousins in Scotland, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Jean was born and grew up in St. Paul. She graduated from Central High School, studied at Macalester College and graduated from Lakewood College as a mature student with an interest in geology. She and Gunnar moved from St. Paul to White Bear Lake in the early 60s. She worked for many years at Engen's Paint Store. After retiring, Jean was a dedicated volunteer at the St. Paul Science Museum for many years, often bringing home turtles to care for when the need arose. She sang in the choir at White Bear Presbyterian Church and participated in their bell choir.

For 28 years Jean lived in Lutsen, Minnesota where she has a house on Lake Superior. While there she was a director with the North Shore Health Center, a member of the garden club and the First Congregational UCC Church in Grand Marais. More recently she began to spend her winters in North Oaks and eventually took up residency at Waverly Gardens. Jean supported many local institutions including the Minnesota Historical Society, United Hospitals of St. Paul, Minnesota Public Radio and the Saint John's Bible project to name a few. Her passions were the churches she attended, her gardens, reading, writing letters, sending cards, and caring for the numerous dogs she had over the years. She also loved chocolate and ice cream.

The family would like to thank the staff at Minnesota Health Fairview St. Johns in Maplewood and the staff in the Hearth area at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks for their care and kindness.

Private interment at Oakland Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Waverly Gardens at a later date.