Jean E. Matheson

Jean Eileen Matheson, 95, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully May 23rd, 2023, surrounded by family members at the Viking Manor nursing home in Ulen, Minnesota. 

Jean was born December 7th, 1927, on the family farm west of Felton, Minnesota in Clay County to Ansgar and Hazel Borgen. She was the seventh of nine children. She attended country grade schools in both Clay and Norman counties, graduating from Fargo High School in 1945. 

Jean married Willard (Bill) Matheson in 1949 in Watertown, South Dakota. They made their first home in Seattle, Washington. In 1952 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota where they lived for several years and where their two sons, Terry & Todd were born. In Detroit lakes they owned and operated Matheson’s Music and formed the Bill Matheson Orchestra performing all around the area where Jean sang and played piano & accordion. 

In 1968 she began a career as a piano bar player playing throughout the upper midwest. In 1974 she retired from being on the road and settled in Minneapolis where she worked many years as a manager in the restaurant business. She then found her calling as a CNA in hospice. 

In 1993 Jean was diagnosed with Merkel Cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of cancer. She is now in the record books as a long term Merkel Cell cancer survivor. 

Jean has been a long time member of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis where she was a Stephen’s Minister and a lead usher. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; Vernon, Arnold, Allyce, Helen, Lois, Robert, and Carol. She is survived by her sister Donna; sons Terry (Monica) and Todd (Joanne) Matheson; 5 grandkids, 10 great grandkids and a host of extended family and friends. 

Jean enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, horseback riding, sitting on the deck of her apartment in Minneapolis watching the comings and goings of city life, but especially she enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters, Samantha & Angela. 

A celebration of life memorial will be held Friday, July 21st at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour before the service at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Memorials may be made to Central Lutheran Church or a charity of one’s choice. Thank you to Viking Manor Nursing Home & Hospice for their wonderful care.