Jane Mckeown

She was born January 28, 1926 to Verdi and Alice Anderson of Milan, Minnesota. She was baptized and nurtured in the Christian faith at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. After graduating from Milan High School she attended the University of Minnesota where she studied journalism. She married James Byron McKeown at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montevideo on July 17, 1948. Always wanting a large family, Jane and Byron raised eight children. They lived in Bird Island, Olivia, and Milbank, SD, before finally settling again in Montevideo. Having begun working for the Montevideo American News soon after her marriage, Jane took a hiatus to mother her growing family. She returned to writing news and human-interest features for the Montevideo American News in 1968 and began her column'Pot au Feu? in the 1990?s. She enjoyed her craft until fully retiring in 2006 at the age of 80. Jane was an early guardian ad litem (child advocate) for the Eighth District Court. In addition, she was active in many community activities for various years including the Montevideo Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the United Way board, the Healthy Heart program, the Lutheran Social Services Senior Link, the Chippewa County Historical Society, Kiwanis, and CURE. At St. Joseph's Catholic Church she chaired a building committee, served on the altar society, taught CCD to high school students, and served as Eucharistic minister and lector.Jane was a devoted wife and mother. She especially adored babies and young children and spent many summers camping with her large crew of grandchildren. She also had a great appreciation for her Norwegian and Swedish heritage as shown by the rosemaling and Tokheim pottery that adorned her home. She loved hosting and entertaining family and friends in her home for the holidays as well as for Milan Club and Bridge Club.Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Gertrude, Bette, and Mary; and her beloved husband Byron. She is survived by her sister Ginger (and Bob) Berg of Irvine, CA, and all eight of her children and their spouses: Katherine (and Dirk) Anderson of Winsted; Thomas (and Pamela) of Creston, IA; John of Montevideo; Richard (and Robyn) of Danvers; Robert (and Kathy Jo) of Bemidji; Mary (and Jack) Griffin of Traverse City, MI; Paul (and Kari) of Lenexa, KS; and Nancy (and Chad) Heidorn of Colfax, WI. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren as well as good friend Dick Larson.