Jeanne McLeod Obituary

Jeanne Marie McLeod died on Monday, January 27, 2025 at St. Cloud Hospital.

Jeanne was born May 26, 1943 in Mandan, North Dakota to the late Venette (Janousek) and Horace McLeod. She grew up in Bemidji, Minnesota, attended the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, MN and St. Cloud State University and earned a Master's degree in healthcare management from Central Michigan University. She spent her working years as a medical technologist and head of the chemistry department at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

She met her husband, Jack Wollack, at Laketrails Base Camp on Lake of the Woods. The two married in 1966 and divorced in 1989. Their three children and grandchildren continue to hold both the camp and the love they propagated close in their hearts.

Having perfected the art of parenting, Jeanne moved onto the equally challenging and fulfilling task of growing orchids. A hobby that takes immense time and precision, she and her orchids thrived. She often had dozens in simultaneous bloom. At one point, she was able to coax an elusive varietal to flower, a feat that impressed even experts at the Orchid Society of MN.

Jeanne felt strongly about giving everything and everyone her attention. Always willing to lend an ear or offer a witty and insightful anecdote, she offered friends, family and pets a reprieve as well as incentive to move forward. This desire to create space was especially felt in her home, where she spent many hours tending to its enhancement and upkeep. She enjoyed hours spent at the edge of her native prairie garden along the shore of the Mississippi River.



Jeanne was intently involved in the study of genealogy. She was a meticulous keeper of family lineage and photos. Her interest in her ancestors led her to many discoveries about her family and kept their memories alive. She networked with other genealogists as an active member of the Morrison County Genealogy Society.

Jeanne is survived by her daughters Laura McLeod of Brooklyn Park, MN and Jill Wollack of Portland, OR; son Forrest and daughter-in-law Mika Wollack of Bloomington, MN; and grandchildren Quinlan and Sean McIntire. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved grandparents, John and Laura (St. Pierre) Janousek; her brothers Colin and Richard McLeod; her nephew Matthew McLeod; and grand niece and nephew Lucy and Grady McLeod.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce located at 200 1st St NW in Little Falls on March 2, 2025 from 2-5pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Morrison County Genealogy Society.