Jean Crowley

Jean Marie Swam was born on April 7, 1918 in Fairmont, MN the daughter of Bernard Francis (Harper) Swam. She grew up and attended school in Fairmont. Jean married Willard B. Crowley on December 28, 1941 in St. James, MN. They lived down South while Willard was in Army training and then Jean lived with her father-in-law mother-in-law, Roy Catherine Crowley while Willard was in the military stationed in Europe where he was held as a prisoner of war. They made their home in St. James and had their only child, Billy in 1946. Jean stayed home to raise him for a few years and then went to work at the St. James Hospital and later at the high school as secretary for Dick Madson, the principal. Her husband Bill preceded her in death in 1980. She remained in her home until her health failed and she moved to Pleasant View in February of 2010. Jean's greatest joy was her granddaughter, Caitlin who was born in 1992. Jean adored her and got to see her nearly every weekend while she was growing up. Jean also enjoyed reading, knitting, playing bridge, swimming and watching the Twins and Vikings. Survivors include her son Willard, Jr. and wife Deborah Crowley of Eden Prairie, MN, granddaughter, Caitlin Crowley of Eden Prairie, dear friends, Ruth Eppland, Marlene Coleman, Fran Hackett, Margaret Smith, Mary Shupe, Linda Hackett and many, many more. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Jerry John Swam, sister, Marjorie "Midge" Carlson, brother-in-law, James F. Crowley, husband Willard B. Crowley and dear friends, Evelyn Clark, Barbara Smith and many others.