Jean Marie Thomforde

Jean Marie Thomforde, 85, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully in her home, early Friday morning, March 29, 2024, with her devoted family at her side.

 Born on December 5, 1938 in Crookston, Jean was the daughter of Norman and Lulu (Peltier) Bratrud. She was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church and grew up in a loving home together with her sister, Norma, and brothers, John and Douglas. After her graduation from Crookston Central High School with the Class of 1956, Jean furthered her education at the Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in Crookston, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1957. She then began a 19-year career as an LPN with Bethesda, later known as Riverview Hospital. Jean loved being a caregiver and treasured the trust her patients placed in her. She would later provide private duty nursing for many Crookston area residents. On December 27, 1958 Jean was united in marriage to the love of her life, John Arthur Thomforde, with the ceremony taking place at Trinity Lutheran Church. Their union would be blessed in the coming years by the births of 4 children: Jody, Jana, Joan, and Jim. Sadly, Joan, passed away on July 15, 2011. 

 Jean and John later joined John’s parents, Harold and Lucille Thomforde, in their business established in 1966 and known as the Thomforde Lawn and Garden Center. After several years John and Jean became owners of Thomforde’s and successfully operated the Crookston landmark business until selling and retiring in 2006. 

 Jean and John became devoted members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, living a life of faith and trust in their Lord and Savior. They spent many years proudly watching their children grow up and eventually start their own families. Jean loved listening to the birds chirp as they serenaded her while she worked in her flower beds and raised vegetable garden. Jean could often be found in her home “chilling” on her kitchen chair with her feet up on the counter, or on the front porch greeting neighbors and friends as they passed by. She enjoyed quiet moments knitting, crocheting, and embroidering dish towels and applied her artistic talents to creating drawings, particularly focusing on ones with trees. She also liked to make diamond-dot pictures for family and friends. John summed up the wonderful life he and Jean lived best when he said “many times I just liked sitting and enjoying the birds and having Jean’s hand to hold throughout.” Such was the devotion they had for each other until John’s passing on April 27, 2022. Going forward, Jean found her consolation in the love of her family, and cuddling each new grand and great-grand baby gave her peace and joy. Her family gives thanks for being part of her life and the comfort they have knowing that she is in Heaven with her Lord, John, and so many loved ones. 

 Jean will be very lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her 3 living children: Jody Menge (Dennis Lafleur), Jana (Steve) Biermaier, and James (Shelly) Thomforde, all of Crookston, MN; son-in-law, Paul Mercil; 12 grandchildren: Angela Menge (Brett Meyer), Jason (Jessica) Menge, Jeffrey (Tonya) Menge, Eric (Tiffany) Biermaier, Lukas (Heidi) Biermaier, Nickolas (Taylor) Biermaier, Andrew (Kennedy) Resendiz-Biermaier, Joshua, Zachary, and Ethan (Haley) Mercil, Nathan (Heaven) Thomforde, and Isaac Thomforde; and 23 great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sister. Norma Buckmiller of Crookston; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Mary Bratrud of Erskine, MN; sister-in-law, Pat Bratrud of Crookston; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

 In addition to John, her soul-mate for over 63 years; Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Joan; son-in-law, Mark Menge; parents, Norman and Lulu Bratrud; brother, John “Jack” Bratrud; and brother-in-law, Daniel “Jim” Buckmiller; and from John’s family: parents-in-law, Harold and Lucille Thomforde; step mother-in-law, Nellie Jefferson Thomforde; and sister-in-law, Audrey Turnlund and her husband, Stanley.

 May God bless the memory of Jean Marie (Bratrud) Thomforde.   

 A Memorial Service Celebrating Jean’s Life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 5, 2024, in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Crookston, with The Rev. Steve Bohler, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the funeral.  The service will be livestreamed by going to Jean’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking the prompt to view. Burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, later in the spring. Messages of condolence may also be offered to the family on the funeral home website.