Jean Crews Arnberg

Jean Erickson Crews Arnberg was born on September 9, 1920 in Pelican Rapids, MN to Ollie and Mabel Erickson. She died at Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo, ND on Monday, December 2, 2013.

On July 26, 1946 Jean married Rex Crews in Pelican Rapids, MN and moved to Cheyenne, WY. They returned to Pelican Rapids to raise their family of 4 daughters. Rex died in 1994 in Desert Hot Springs, CA, where they enjoyed their retirement years together. Jean married Gene Arnberg in West Fargo on July 8, 1995. They made their home in Moorhead, MN until Gene died in 2001.

Jean graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1942 and taught music in Mobridge, SD and Pelican Rapids, MN. She taught piano lessons in her home in Pelican and had hundreds of piano students that she mentored. Jean also played the organ at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Desert Hot Springs, CA for over 40 years. Upon her move to Sheyenne Crossings in 2006 she played the piano for church services and special events. When it was a resident’s birthday at SC she loved to play Happy Birthday for all to sing along. Many days she was asked or volunteered to play dinner music for the residents. She loved her years at SC, her cat Tally, and the many friends that she made. Special thanks to her “angels” who cared for her while at SC.

Jean is survived by her daughters and their families: Lynn Bernie Berg of Lake Arrowhead, CA, Judy John Long Crews of Fargo, ND, Cindy Johnal Holst of Deer Lodge, MT, Shelly Carl Kannianen of Stanley, ND. Her grandchildren: Kelly Holst of Long Island, NY, Katy Holst of Houston, TX, Matt Grossman of West Fargo, ND and Mike Lisa Grossman of Fargo, ND. She also leaves behind 3 great-grandchildren: Braydon, Jack and Claire Grossman. One angel left this earth on Monday and another angel was born into our family a few hours later-Claire. The full circle of life was so evident to us all.

Jean also loved her extended family: Kathryn Arnberg, Eugene Amy Arnberg, Jr, Carol Craig”Cj” Johnson, John Mari Arnberg, 10 Arnberg grandchildren, 3 Kannianen grandchildren, 10 Arnberg great-grandchildren and 3 Kannianen great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Donna, her husbands, son-in-law Alan Grossman, and many other relatives and friends.

For all the joy that her life and music brought to others, play on Mama Jean, play on!

Visitation: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, from 5 – 7 p.m., with prayer service at 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
Funeral: Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 11 a.m., in Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND.