Jean Dunkel, 78, Minot, died Thursday, September 12, 2019 in a Minot hospital.

Jean was born on June 19, 1941, the proud daughter of a farmer and his wife, Theodore (Ted) and Edna Tofstad.  Raised on a farm north of Max, Jean had two brothers and four sisters.  Laverne (Anna), LaVonne (Dennis) Hensen, Vera (Terry) Woelber, Julie (Terry) Markle, and Carol (Chuck) Strain.  Her brother Ronnie passed away at a young age.

She then met a young Navy man (Glen Dunkel) and married him on December 5, 1958.  The rest was history as five children were born.  Glen Jr. (Joan), Roger, Mike (Mary), Bobbi (Ken) Arneson, and Sheri (Scott) Hardy.  They raised their children East of Minot where they continue to live today.

Jean was a mother first and foremost.  She raised her kids with a large heart that covered them their whole lives.  She got her driver's license at the age of 40 years old taking her two daughters with as she borrowed her sister's van.  Sadly, she ran over one of the family bunnies before even leaving the driveway.

Nothing was stopping her after that - she got a job at Country Lanes as a baker where her food was loved by many.  She then started working for Manor Care as a cook in the kitchen and retired after 19 years.  She was loved by all her co-workers and the residents.

Jean loved to quilt, sew, crochet, can foods, bake, cook, play Scrabble, but above all this she loved all her grandchildren she had been blessed with.  Those include Mary (Jeremy) Dougay, TJ (Megan), Lisa (fiancé Jesse) Dunka, Brittany (Brian) Denisen, Chelsey (James) Knoll, Dylan, Connor Arneson, Alissa Arneson, Ciara (fiancé Jason) Schock, Cole Hardy, and Ethan Hardy.

Little did she know, she would be even more blessed to have great grandchildren to brighten her later years.  These amazing children include Taylor, Tyler, Teyah, and Taegan Dougay; Braxton and Brayson Dunkel; Brenton Baker, Quinton Carter, Ariyanna Dunka; Gavin and Bennett Knoll.  She recently became great-great grandma to Rose Marie Baker.

Jean will be met in Heaven by her parents, Ted and Edna, brother Ronnie, and a multitude of pets throughout the years.  She will be missed dearly by her whole family who loved her with all their hearts.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with burial to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank all those that cared for her this past year at Trinity Medical Center and Minot Rehab.  We would also like to thank Jean's best friend Joanna Dahly for all the love and support she gave her throughout their lives.

We love you forever - Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma, Sister, and Friend.

Jean Dunkel Flowers