Jeanne Elaine Rooney

Jeanne Elaine Rooney, age 81, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully in the presence of her beloved family on Friday, June 6, 2025, at McKenna Crossing.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 11am, with a visitation from 9-10:45 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Walker will preside. Jeanne will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Please wear bright colors in Jeanne's honor.

Mass will be livestreamed through: St. Mike's Youtube.

Gracing this world on April 23, 1944, in Motley, MN, Jeanne Elaine was born to Magnus and Loretta (Smith) Hanson. One of six girls, Jeanne grew up in Motley, where she loved to work with her father milling lumber. She shared a passion for the woods with her father and talked about how much she enjoyed that time with her dad. She was particularly close with her twin sister, Janice, and they remained inseparable through childhood and beyond. Jeanne was very active and popular growing up, involved in cheerleading throughout her schooling.

Jeanne graduated from Motley High School and moved to the city for work. Jeanne would return on the weekends to take care of her son Tim, as her parents helped take care of him during the week. She took a job waitressing in Minneapolis, and met a young man, Philip Rooney, through a mutual friend. After a generous tip, not long after, Jeanne and Phil united in marriage on January 30, 1965, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Motley, MN, and settled in the twin cities area. Together, they were blessed with three more children, Maria, Chris, and Missy.

In 1968, Jeanne decided to venture into real estate, and secured her license with Hartwick Realty. She was one of the first woman realtors to show homes. A couple years later, Phil joined the business. Soon after they established their own company, Realty III, in 1974. Jeanne also picked up a part time job working the Christmas rush at Target in the jewelry department. She loved it so much she stayed for the next 18 years. She won numerous awards and design contests within the company, including the cart rack designs in use today.

Jeanne was an excellent writer and excelled in creative tasks. She always wanted to write her own book. She had unique designing instincts while decorating and staging homes for the family real estate business. Jeanne was fantastic at cooking but never followed a recipe and, unfortunately, never wrote anything down. Jeanne was immensely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Family was always at the center of Jeanne’s fun-loving life. She and Phil were fixtures at the kids' sporting events and enjoyed springing surprise vacations whether going on road trips, cruises, or an extended spin with a shiny new car. She loved a good roast and teasing her family and friends. Jeanne never missed a birthday or Christmas card and filled them to the brim with personal messages. Many people commented that her heartfelt memorial cards had a profound effect on them.

Phil and Jeanne also started wintering in Mesa, AZ, in 2006 with extended family and friends. They were active in the club, decorating, planning, and working activities. She also enjoyed bowling and played in a league for over 20 years, with some championships to brag about. Jeanne could always be counted on to bring a good time, dancing to Elvis and Debbie Reynolds.

In her last few months, when Jeanne’s health started failing with dementia, she was blessed to have the friendship of Jo and Deb. They would enjoy excursions,shopping, and visiting Tim together. The care team at McKenna Crossing, from the front desk to floors 1, 3, and 4 were greatly appreciated by her family.

Jeanne is loved and will be greatly missed by her children, Tim Rooney, Maria (Casey) Brinkman, Chris (Christine) Rooney, Missy (Bruce) Hudoba; grandchildren, Alexandra (Jake Pofahl) Borchardt, Tony Borchardt, Drew Brinkman, Cole Brinkman, Nick Rooney, Morgan Rooney, Jack Hudoba, Charlie Hudoba; great-grandchildren; Rooney, Georgia, Emryn; twin sister, Janice (Don) Scott; many nieces, nephews, relatives, lifelong friends, and recent special friends Joann Millar, Deb Schmidt, and Ryan Murray.

Greeting Jeanne home in eternal peace is her husband, Phil; granddaughter, Jessica Borchardt; parents, Magnus and Loretta; sisters, Donna, Darlene, Mildred, and Marilyn and other family members and many friends.