Jeanne E. McGree

Jeanne Eleanor McGree (Miller), age 95, of Hastings, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Regina Senior Living in Hastings. Jeanne was born the sixth of eight children in Red Wing, MN to Frank and Gertrude (O’Keefe) Miller of Belchester, MN on September 3, 1929.

She attended school at St. Mary’s in Belchester until they moved to Hastings. She went to Hastings Senior High and graduated in 1947. She married Nicholas J. McGree, who was in the Air Force, in 1949 and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, later that year. Their first assignment took them to Alginachy, Michigan, then to Northfield, MN training for ROTC Cadets at St. Olaf College, this is where they welcomed their next two children, then to Okinawa, Japan for a couple years, to Plattsburgh, NY, to Puerto Rico where they welcomed their fourth child, until settling in Hastings in 1966 upon Nic’s retirement from the Air Force.

After their divorce, she and her partner, Rollie Dankers, traveled the states and the world on many adventures, later marrying in the late 80’s. She worked with Medicare billing for the Hastings State Hospital, 3M and retired from the MN Secretary of State Office where she proudly worked for Joan Growe for many years. She was involved in VFW Auxiliary, Business Professional Women, was a guardian ad litem, volunteered at the Le Duc Mansion, and Regina Hospital gift shop, and kept herself busy assisting “elderly” needing rides around town.

She always was known by family and friends for her beautifully decorated cakes. Jeanne enjoyed babysitting her grandkids and great grandkids as often as possible, creating many memories with each. Her knowledge of local, national and world history was shared with anyone willing to listen. We learned that politics was a conversation that didn’t have an end. If you wanted to go to fish fry on a Friday, she wouldn’t passed one up, and if you came over for supper you never left hungry as she always fed you seconds and thirds.

Jeanne was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Gertrude Miller; infant son, Joseph; husbands, Nicholas McGree and Rollie Dankers; brother, Ray Miller; sisters, Marion Peine, Dorothy Loesch, Bernice Sherry, Emeline Hamilton, Ruth Bremer and Audrey Connolly.

Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Kay (Don) Kimmes; sons, John, Tom and Rob (Tanya) McGree; eight grandchildren, Julie (Jim) Bollback, Mark (Lisa) Kimmes, Andy (Jeanie) Kimmes, Katie Kocherer, Nathan (Dana) McGree, Brittany (Shane) Carriere, Cassandra McGree, MacKenzie (Nick) Jennings; sixteen great grandchildren, Nic (Kelly), Zac, Luc, Brady, Mason, Chloe, Carly, Cade, Gavin, Grayson, Charley, Wilder, Freyja, Cydney, Caitlyn, Harlow, and 17th (a baby girl!) due any day; and sister-in-law, Joan Miller.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Lizbet Ronning, staff at Grace Hospice and Regina Assisted Living, and Allina Home Health. Your attention and care gave us comfort and peace during this time for which we are grateful.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 am.

Interment will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery in Hastings.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings.