Jeannine Thelma Crosby

Jeannine Thelma Crosby age 96 of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away peacefully October 28, 2025 at her home, with family by her side.

Jeannine was born September 27, 1929 to James and Thelma Potter on the Potter Farm about 4 miles outside of Lisbon, ND. She lived there with her parents until about the age of 3 when her mother moved her to the Little Toad Lake area near Frazee, MN. Her grandparents raised her there on their farm until she was about 15 years old. She then went to live with her mother and step father on the Ottertail River off of highway 34 east of Detroit Lakes. She helped her step father build the family house there. While living there she met Dean Crosby. On September 9, 1946 they were united in marriage. They lived with both of their parents for a short time before moving to Moorhead, MN. They later moved to rural Grandon, ND, where they both worked on a farm. Jeannine worked and cleaned the milk house and kept it running. After a few years they moved back to Detroit Lakes, where they made their home and raised their family.

Jeannine was a devoted wife and mother. She always had a big garden and did a lot of canning. She worked at the Disse Mink Ranch for 10 seasons, pelting mink. She later went to work at St. Mary’s Hospital in the dietary kitchen. She then took college courses and became the Dietition’s Assistant. She worked there for over 20 years. While working at the hospital she began selling Avon, and was an Avon Rep. for 45 years. Jeannine was also a bluebird and campfire leader and a boy scout transportation mom. Dean and Jeannine also owned and operated a trucking company for many years. She did the bookkeeping for many years and also ran parts and tires where ever they were needed. She made a lot of late night suppers. After she left the hospital, she sold insurance and in their retirement she and Dean delivered newspapers for 12 years.

Jeannine liked to embroider and crochet. Over the years she crocheted many Afghans, Christmas tree skirts and stockings, Easter baskets, angels, and Barbie doll clothing. She also did a lot of cooking and baking. She was an avid reader who read more than a thousand books, even up until the week before her death. She never forgot a family member’s birthday or Anniversary. She was also a huge fan of “The Price is Right,” “Jeopardy,” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

She is survived by 6 children, Pamela (Karl) Karlgaard, Faye (Stanley) Skarie, Joyce (Dale) Hendrickson, Richard (Cheryl) Crosby, Cynthia (Gaillin) Crosby, and Mark Crosby; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren;

Jeannine was very proud of her family. Her family was her life and that’s what she lived for!

Funeral Services for Jeannine Crosby will be on Tuesday November 4, 2025; 1:00 p.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN.