Jane B. Graves

Jane Graves (nee Bourcier) passed away in the presence of her family on June 5, 2023 at the age of 86 in Longmont, Colorado. She is survived by her sons Scott and Cameron, grandchildren Travis (Lauren), Ashley (Colby) Hudson, Justin, and Hunter; great grandchildren Kinsley, Adelynn, and Alice; siblings Elizabeth Frank, Leo, Yvonne Lhotka, and Albert (Carol); sisters-in-law Sue Sautner and Patricia (Ken) Graupner; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Fred, son Mitchell, daughter-in-law Marlene Zaleznick, and siblings Lorraine Cleland, Frances Benedict, Audrey Fox, Gilbert, and Julie Pniewski.

Jane was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin in 1937 to Leo and Frieda (Mayer) Bourcier. She graduated from Columbus Catholic High School in 1954. She attended UW-Stevens Point where she received a teaching certificate and met her future husband, Fred. They were married in 1957 and moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Jane taught multiple grades at a one-room school in Sun Prairie while Fred finished his bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison.

Jane and Fred started their family in 1958, and in 1960 the family moved to Menomonie, WI. In 1965 they moved to Horseheads, NY where Fred took a job with A&P and Jane a teaching position at St. Mary’s Catholic School. In 1968 the family moved to Blaine, Minnesota and in 1978 to Ham Lake, MN where she and Fred lived until moving to Longmont, Colorado in 2020 to be closer to family.

Together they raised three energetic boys, always finding time to attend their many school and sporting events. Yearly vacations were spent camping in state and national parks of northern Minnesota. Jane, Fred, the three boys and their dog (first Lady, then Sam) made for tight quarters in their StarCraft pop up tent camper. Daily activities included canoeing, fishing, and picking blueberries. Jane was a whiz at cooking anything over a fire, from freshly caught fish to birthday cake.

Jane was a long-time time employee of Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District 11, first as a substitute teacher, then as a paraprofessional at Anoka High School, and finally, in 1974, at Blaine High School.

After getting the boys through high school, and while continuing to work full time, Jane attended the University of Minnesota at night, earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Communication in 1985.

In 1988 she started working in the newly formed BHS Production Center and taught herself how to use a computer. It was, as she called it, a “dream job” -- allowing her to express her creativity and learn something new every day. In 2012, at the age of 75, she retired after 43 years of service in the school district.

A member of St. Timothy’s Catholic church in Blaine since 1968 – Jane served for many years as a lay leader in the church’s Journey In Faith program for those coming to Catholicism as adults. As a member of the Paraprofessional Association (now the Paraeducator Association) she helped to negotiate contracts between the paraeducators and the school district, which improved pay and conditions for paraeducators. Jane was also active in the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women organization.

She had a warm smile that she shared generously and her many friends and family miss her deeply.

A visitation for Jane will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM at The Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434. A memorial mass will occur Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at 12:00 PM at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Graves family.