Has a Death Occurred? We Are Available 24/7
Call (651) 222-9918
Obituary of Jean Helen Kinsey
Jean Helen Kinsey died July 13, 2023, at Regions Hospital after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born in St. Paul on February 26, 1925, to James H. and Minnie (Templeman) Kinsey, Jean Helen attended Groveland Elementary School and graduated from University High School at the University of Minnesota. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Catherine’s with a specialty in kindergarten.
Over a 40+ year career she taught kindergarten in South Saint Paul, often teaching children and grandchildren of her original students. She loved her students, and they loved her. Several of her former students reconnected with her in the past few years and invited her to lunch get togethers to reminisce about kindergarten with Miss Kinsey.
Multi-generation family was most important to Jean Helen, with family get togethers for all the holidays, wonderful family trips to Disneyworld, Gunflint Lodge, a cruise from Montreal to Boston, plus 7 Trips to Europe with her brother Jim and sister-in-law Judy. She also traveled extensively with friends, driving all over the US, and cruising in Europe.
In her retirement years, she enjoyed making ceramics – particularly beautiful porcelains for gifts to family and friends. She enjoyed Glass Club and her collections of glass. She was very proud of her independence, living in her house in Highland Park until after her 97th birthday.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Jay, her beloved brother Jim, and her lifelong friend, Dick Gehlen. She is survived by her sister-in-law Judy Kinsey, of Minneapolis, her niece, Julie, and husband Rob Buresh of Kasson; her nephew James and wife Tami Kinsey of Burnsville; and grandnieces Analisa and Alexandra Buresh of Kasson and many cousins.
A celebration of her life will be held at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday, August 16, at 11AM, followed by a reception at the church. Private interment at Acacia Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean Helen’s name may be sent to St. Catherine’s University, House of Hope Church, or the South Saint Paul Education Foundation.
