Jeanette Eileen Erdmann

Jeanette Eileen (Botten) Erdmann, aged 81, of Willmar, went home to be with her Lord on Feb 28, 2022, in Brownsville, Texas. 

A funeral service will be held to celebrate Jean at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.   In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Smile Train are preferred.  In addition, a service of remembrance and burial is being planned in Williston, North Dakota in the summer of 2022.  Local arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Jean was born on December 14, 1940, in Brooten, Minnesota.  She was the youngest of three girls born to Martin and Lottie Botten.   At a young age her family moved to Ray, North Dakota.  When Jean was in the 6^th grade the family moved to Williston, North Dakota where she graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1958.  She attended Minot State Teachers College and graduated with a degree in Education.  She was a highly respected and well-loved teacher for over 30 years, teaching in Fargo, ND, Williston, ND and Litchfield, MN.

Jean met her beloved husband Ronald Claire Erdmann in the 6^th grade.  They dated through high school and college and were married on August 11, 1962.  Ron and Jean were blessed with three children:  Michael Claire, Rhonda Jean, and Brett Ronald. 

Jean was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith.  She was active for several years in her church and community, teaching Sunday School and leading Girl Scouts.  Jean was incredibly blessed with many cherished friends with whom she loved to spend time.  She enjoyed bird watching, playing cards and board games, traveling, entertaining, camping and especially fishing.

Ron and Jean settled in Minnesota, first in Litchfield for many years, then in Willmar.  After Ron and Jean retired from their careers in education, they became “Winter Texans”.  Spending their winters at their home in Long Island Village, located in Port Isabel, Texas—just across the bridge from South Padre Island.

Jean was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, auntie and friend.  She touched the lives of many with her caring disposition and her sense of humor. Her ultimate joy was found in her family. 

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Erdmann; daughter, Rhonda (and Olaf) Hendrickson of Rochester; son Brett (and Trisha) Erdmann of Fargo, ND; two grandchildren, Tor Hendrickson and Solveig Hendrickson; and her sister, Lorraine Nelson of Anthem, AZ, along with many loved nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Lottie Botten; sister, Gladys Sandaker; son, Michael Claire; mother-in-law, Inez Erdmann; father-in-law, Clarence Erdmann; sister-in-law, Nancy Tweden; and brothers-in-law, Lyle Nelson, Sonny Sandaker and Richard Erdmann.