September 23, 1927 - August 14, 2020
Jean Kathleen Grevstad, 92, formerly of Winnipeg, Manitoba, died August 14, 2020, at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson, BC. She was with her family.
Jean was born Sept 23, 1927, in Regina, Saskatchewan to Rebecca Clingham and her name at birth was Daphne. She was adopted by Ernest and Elsie Pickens who named her Jean and raised her in a loving home. An only child, Jean grew up on a farm in Pleasantdale, SK. Jean always remembered her horse and her dog. She remained a prairie girl at heart.
Jean attended business college in St. Albert, Saskatchewan and then got a job with the Bank of Montreal in Saskatoon. She married William Harvey Grevstad in 1953. Jean and Bill had two daughters: Deborah and Lisa. They lived a cosmopolitan life in several cities including Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal. Jean continued to work with the Bank of Montreal, eventually becoming the first female bank manager in Western Canada. What a trail blazer!
Jean and Bill were later to divorce after which time Jean formed a loving relationship with Harold (Barry) Knudson. During this period of her life Jean had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world including Europe, California and India. After her retirement from the bank Jean went on to work at Revenue Canada. In her later years Jean became an actively involved member of Augustine United Church.
Jean was a cheerful and contented person. She had a happy childhood but was curious about her birth mother. Finally in her 80's Jean got to meet her sisters and learn the story of her birth mother. In 2016 she moved to Nelson, BC to spend her last years in the company of her daughter's family.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Deborah Ann Lysenko; son in law, Mark Groening; step children, Lori, Kim and Glen; grandchildren, Jasmine (and Danaraj), Krishan and Mykyta (and Jackline); great grandchildren Shunyata, Uma Jean and Elizabeth Sapphire; her sisters, Sheila, Joan and Rita; and many adoring nieces and nephews. Mrs. Grevstad was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Christine Groening.
Cremation has taken place. An interment in the Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery will take place at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Jean's name to the Winnipeg Humane Society or St. Augustine United Church. You are invited to read Jean's life story, and leave a personal message of condolence on the family's online register at www.thompsonfs.ca.