Jeanette D Pote of New York Mills and Wadena passed away on November 19, 2023.  She was 89 years old.  Jeanie was preceded in death by parents Walter and Sanna  Pote and her sisters Lorraine Gentz and Joyce Warndahl.

Jeanie is survived by her lifelong partner Gloria Gregory.

She is also survived by nieces and nephew Kim Warndahl (Jeff), Jamie Warndahl (Mary Liz), John Warndahl all of St. Paul, Minnesota and nieces Susan Gentz and Heidi (Gentz) Cutler of Austin, Texas.

Jeanie lived a great life, living in Oakland, Calif.,and traveling the country.  Jeanie and Gloria had many adventures including driving a car from California to Alaska in the 1960’s when most of the roads were still gravel – the car arrived in remarkable condition having suffered only a small chip to one of the taillights.  The girls were always up for checking out casinos or clubs, hitting the ski slopes or picking grapes at one of the many vineyards that were within a day’s drive of the Bay Area.  One of the highlights of these trips came when they went to Calneva Casino to see the Rat Pack and sat at the bar with them and politely obtained autographs from both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  Jeanie worked for several companies primarily in accounting positions but really considered farming her life’s work.  She returned to Minnesota and took over the family farm where she raised a small herd of beef cattle.  Jeanie handled all aspects of the farm including raising hay, delivering calves, and maintaining the farm equipment.  Jeanie cared deeply about being a steward of the land and was environmentally conscious from the earliest days.  Jeanie was always happiest on her tractor.  Jeanie also had a great talent musically, playing various instruments by ear and especially enjoyed playing her accordion for friends and family, often with Gloria on the drums.  Jeanie will be dearly missed.

Thank you to the Meadows staff for their great care over the past four years.

Celebration of life will be at the family farm in the spring.

Please visit karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Jeanette’s family.

Arrangements are provided by the Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena.