Jean Cossette

Jean Bostrom Cossette, 70, died suddenly at her home in Grand Forks on Monday, December 12, 2011. Jean Lynn Bostrom was born in Grand Forks on July 30, 1941 to Clarence Vernon (Vern) and Catherine Laura (née Bliven) Bostrom. She attended St. Mary's School, graduating from St. James High School in 1959. Having attended the University of North Dakota from 1959 to 1961, Jean received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Mary in 2003. She was united in marriage to Gerald (Jerry) Cossette on June 2, 2008. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and by sisters Beverly (Francis) Kryzsko and Lois (Ron) Jeffrey. She is survived by her husband Jerry, children Michael McKinnon (Eric Bettelheim), New York, NY, Laura McKinnon Knox and Suzanne McKinnon (Alan) Netzer, sisters Cheryl (Wayne) Spicer and Kathy (David) Rau, all of Grand Forks, and five step children. Jean was grandmother to 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and aunt to 38 nieces and nephews. Throughout her life, Jean was active as a tireless volunteer in numerous local civic and charitable organizations, including Altru Hospice, Altru Hospital Pastoral Services, Valley Memorial Homes Abiders Program and the Northeast North Dakota Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was recognized in August by Dak Minn Blood Bank for volunteer donations of 12 gallons of blood to a lifesaving community service. Memorial donations may be made to Altru Hospice, St. Michael's School Bridge Builders Foundation or Mount Saint Benedict Foundation, Crookston, MN.