Jean Edna Sailer

Jean Edna (Nelson) Sailer, 100, passed away on Aug. 19, 2025, at the Hadley House in Perham, MN.

Jean was born on Dec. 1, 1924, at home on the family farm near Butterfield, MN., to Milton and Edna (Slaalien) Nelson. Jean was a 1942 graduate of Butterfield High School.

She married Archie Sailer on June 1, 1943, in Hill City, MN. Following Archie’s service during WWII, the couple moved to Bigfork and then to Frazee in 1946. The couple operated Rosehaven Resort near Vergas, MN, from 1956 through 1978. Jean was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee, MN.

Jean expressed herself through her poetry and published two books: “From the Back Seat” and “I Would Rather Write, Than Cook, Cookbook”; and was a regular contributor to local newspapers and shoppers with her down-home poetry. Jean also published a memoir entitled “The Story of Us.” She enjoyed making quilts for her children and grandchildren and was a fan of the Minnesota Twins.

During her first 20 years of life, Jean lived through the Great Depression, having her father pass away when she was 14, and seeing the world on the brink during World War II. No wonder she was lovingly referred to as a “Tough Norwegian,” which is no surprise as she was part of the “Greatest Generation.”

During her lifetime Jean went from her father hitching up a team of horses to pull the sleigh to her grandparent’s house at Christmas to watching a man walk on the moon; writing letters by hand in perfect cursive to communicating via computers and smart phones; and using kerosene lamps to light the farmhouse to nuclear energy.

Jean is survived by her children: Joe (Jean) Sailer, Detroit Lakes; Paul (Dianna) Sailer, Wadena; Phil (Brita) Sailer, Park Rapids; Ann (Jim) Nordmeier, Perham; Mary (Dave) Morinville, Detroit Lakes; Fred (Sue) Sailer, Perham; Tony, Frazee; and Ray (Karn) Sailer, Frazee; and 19 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her siblings: Melroy, Glen, Eileen, Ruby and Harry; her husband, Archie; grandson Jay Sailer; and daughter-in-law Lois Burnham Sailer.

Visitation will be at David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 with a time of sharing from 7-8 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, with visitation starting at 10 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frazee. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HIA Hospice whose staff went the extra mile to assist Jean during her final days.