Jean Hellie , passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2020 at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Justin Dietel   Officiating. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will also be held for Jean's daughter Diane Hellie at the same time.

Visitation will be held on Friday, 5-7 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday before the service.

Rosemary Jean Slater was born March 11 ^th , 1925, the only child of Herbert and Hilda (Buxton) Slater, in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England.  Jean graduated from Sir Antony Gell Grammer School in Wirksworth.  Jean was active in basketball, softball, field hockey and tennis.

During World War II she met her future husband, who was on detached service in Wirksworth, for the United States Air Force.  Wirksworth was in a valley and at one of the highest hills, five Americans had a radio location station guiding planes to and from bombing raids on Germany.

Jean and Ted were married in Minneapolis on August 11 ^th , 1950.  After Ted graduated from the University of Minnesota, Ted and Jean moved to Thief River Falls where Ted taught English for 30 years.  For Ted, who graduated from Lincoln High School and was born in Goodridge, MN, it was coming home and Jean fell in love with Thief River Falls.  Jean was used to a town of 5,000, where she knew so many people and Thief River Falls was the same.

For many years, between raising a family Jean worked as a teller at Union State Bank, then First Northwestern and later Norwest Bank.  She loved interacting with her customers and coworkers.

Jean was an active member of United Methodist Church where she was President of United Women and was on several committees over the years.  Jean was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary,  Heritage Center and Thief River Golf Club.

Jean's interests include golf, knitting, sewing, crossword puzzles and travel.  Jean and Ted went back to England many times to visit family and then visited many other countries.

Jean was very interested in the Heritage Center and served as treasurer for many years, including the ones before the building was erected.  Jean and Rose Opsund started the weekly Bingo which grew into a very popular event.  Jean always supported the Center as a much needed facility for seniors and the public.

She is survived by daughter Susan (Bob) Sanders, son Jim Hellie, grandsons Nick and Zach (Aaliyah) Twamley, Justin Sanders and great-granddaughter Indago Twamley.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Ted; daughter Diane; her parents; all six of her husband's brothers, several nieces and nephews.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com