Jeanine Kae Kenner-Mills, 53, died Monday, June 6, 2016. She passed peacefully in her sleep, at her Rochester MN home, after battling cancer for 27 years. Jeanine was born in Fargo ND on February 14, 1963, and was adopted by Harris and Ardyth (Rued) Kenner, of Minot ND, a few weeks later. In her youth, she took music lessons for both piano and flute, spent her summers at Lake Sakakawea, ND with her family, attended (and toured Europe with) the International Music Camp, and avidly danced ballet for over 18 years. After graduating from Minot High School with the class of 1981, she continued to keep in touch with many of her classmates, as well as attending all their reunions. Upon being offered many college scholarships, Jeanine decided to attend UND and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and Pre-law. She was married to Evan Anderson, of Bismarck ND, in 1985. After their divorce in 1987, she moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue her modeling career and perform with the city orchestra. She returned to Grand Forks, and was later married to Michael Metzgar, of Bottineau ND, in 1988. After moving to Denver, CO their daughter Briane was born in 1989. Shortly after, Jeanine was diagnosed with a grade III astrocytoma, brain tumor. Over the next few years, she underwent multiple brain surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. After her divorce from Michael in 1991, she returned to Minot, and to the comfort of her family. In 1994, Jeanine endured more treatment and a full hysterectomy after being diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer. She briefly battled addiction, but was successful, and moved to Rochester, MN where she, and her daughter, would be close to Mayo Clinic and could finally put down roots. In 1997 Jeanine was married to Thomas Mills, of Rochester. Unfortunately, her husband, and the man she considered to be her soul mate, passed away in 2000 from heart complications. From 2000-2001, Jeanine attended RCTC for medical training, and proceeded to work as an administrator in the urology department at Mayo Clinic. In 2002 she was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, bone cancer, but opted to not undergo further treatment or amputation. She continued to work for Mayo at their OS building, where she worked as a surgical transcriptionist until 2006. In her later years, Jeanine loved to travel and did so whenever she could. She loved to visit Lake Sakakawea in the summers and Phoenix, AZ during the winters. After going through everything she had, she believed that every day was a gift and it should be lived to the fullest. She was well known by many as a great giver of advice or just an ear to listen. Many of her daughter's friends considered Jeanine to be almost a second mother to them; always there if a little extra guidance was needed, and always without bias or judgement. She was once quoted saying "If music is my sun, dance is my rain," so she continued to play (and would sometimes even teach) music, danced a little bit when she could, and enjoyed every type of art. She did some writing, was a veracious reader, and kept up on all politics and current events. She loved being outside, enjoying the sunshine, and especially loved being on the water. Jeanine was extremely generous and truly wanted to help anyone in need, in any way she could. She supported many causes and charities including; Locks of Love, The American Cancer Society, The Humane Society, The Reagan Ranch, The Prairie Learning Center in Raleigh ND, and many others. Jeanine fought hard and long, much longer than any doctor ever predicted she would, yet through all that she always had such a positive outlook on life. She continued to use the motto "One day at a time," and was determined that nothing was going to stop her from truly living every day she did have. She had an attitude of acceptance, quoting "Those who say winning isn\'t everything, never had to fight cancer." She believed that even though she was still fighting, she'd already won; she'd proven the doctors wrong, and lived 27 years longer. "A full life" she said on her 50th birthday. Jeanine is survived by her mother, Ardyth Kenner; daughter, Briane (Metzgar) Swinnerton, Las Vegas NV; biological father, Russell Garland, Oakes ND; two biological half-brothers; two ex-husbands, Evan Anderson & Michael Metzgar; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. Jeanine was preceded in death by her father; Harris P Kenner; and husband, Thomas E Mills. Memorial & Visitation: Monday, July 25, 2016 from 1:00 5:00 p.m. at Garrison Creek Cabin Site, on Lake Sakakawea, ND. (Per Jeanine's wishes, she was cremated and her ashes are to be scattered at the lake, following the memorial.) In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society. Cards or condolences can be sent to The Thomas Family Funeral Home- 304 Main St S, Minot, ND 58701.