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Jean Yvonne (Bolinder) Zieba

Jean Yvonne (Bolinder) Zieba

October 1st, 1921 - October 9th, 2020

Biography


Thank you for visiting Jean's memorial site. Please add a note below in the tribute section and be sure to look through the Mementos section. If you have a story or photo about a memory of Jean, we'd love for you to share it. At this time, we are planning a small private interrment ceremony for immediate family in October. We'll plan a larger celebration of her life in the future when pandemic restrictions have eased.


Jean Zieba, longtime resident of Robbinsdale, passed away quietly in her sleep on Friday, October 9th, 2020. She was 99 years old. Born on October 1st, 1921, to the late George and Mabel Bolinder, she was the eldest of two daughters. Born and raised in South Minneapolis, she graduated from Washburn High School in 1939.


In 1946, Jean married Edmund Zieba of Northeast Minneapolis. The two had known each other from roller skating at the Minneapolis Arena, and when Ed returned from the war, they began dating. After marrying, they settled in Robbinsdale and raised four sons.


An excellent cook, Jean was equally adept at Swedish and Polish cuisine. Swedish pancakes were a favorite with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would start frying them an hour before dinner began and would not stop until everyone had had their fill. No one remembers her sitting down to enjoy one herself. Inheritance of the well-seasoned pan she made them in is currently in dispute.


In addition to raising her children, Jean held a variety of jobs always related to serving others. As a young woman, she worked for the Greyhound Bus Company. While raising her family, she found time to fill in for the Robbinsdale School District’s school lunch program as well as working seasonally at the district offices. She volunteered at North Memorial Medical Center, where she worked part-time in the gift shop there. She served as a poll worker during elections for many years.


Jean and Ed were active members of Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. They were part of the core team that ran Salem Lutheran’s Dining Hall at the Minnesota State Fair in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Jean was known as the “Egg Lady” and, over the course of 30 years, fried thousands of eggs for implement sales people and farmers visiting Machinery Hill.


Jean had a beautiful singing voice and passed her love of music onto her children. She was an alto in the Salem choir, and performed occasionally with the polka band Ed formed with his brother Harry. Although her heritage was 100% Swede, she went so far as to learn the Polish lyrics to some of the songs in the band’s repertoire. There were always requests to hear her sing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”


Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Ed, and sister, Betty (Bolinder) Leighton. She is survived by her four sons, James Zieba of Robbinsdale; John Zieba and wife Joan of Robbinsdale; Jerrold Zieba and wife Lorraine of Maple Grove; Jeffrey Zieba and wife Bronwen Morgan of Berkeley, CA; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Always ready with a smile and a hug, she will be sorely missed.

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Family

About

Name Jean Yvonne (Bolinder) Zieba
Date of Birth October 1st, 1921
Date of Death October 9th, 2020
In Memoriam Donation Minnesota Autism Center
Family

Family

Significant OtherEdmund Zieba
ChildrenJames Zieba, Jeffrey Zieba, Jerrold Zieba, John Zieba
SiblingsBetty (Bolinder) Leighton
ParentsGeorge Bolinder, Mabel (Larson) Bolinder
Grand-ParentsBertha Larson, Peter Larson
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Deanna Ruddy published a tribute .

I met Jean while I was an concierge at Copperfield. Me and her quickly gained a friendship that I hold very close and dear to my heart. When I moved to a different job in February she told me this isn't goodbye this is just see ya later. She hugged and kissed me on the cheek and told me that I would always be welcomed at her place. When I learned of her passing I was deeply saddened. I know your not supposed to mix work with pleasure but I think that this was an exception to that rule. I was thankful to get know Jean and she shared with me warm Skorpa and many wise thoughts. She would also tell me that I am loved and special. Well I don't think I ever told her but I loved her like family and devastated that I didn't get that see ya later time due to COVID. My sincere condolences to the family and glad she is in the arms of our Savior and reunited with her dear husband who she spoke many good things about.

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Bronwen Morgan published a tribute .

I knew Jean in her roles of grandma, mom, and mother-in-law, as well as Ed’s wife and widow, and I can’t imagine anyone filling those roles with more grace, humor, and gentleness. The typical mother-in-law jokes about an overbearing, jealous person who sets out to see the worst in her son’s choice of life partner never made any sense to me, because Jean was just the opposite. She always saw the best in those around her. Jean gave all of us her steadfast support, and an example of how to face life’s challenges with equanimity.
I will always remember certain scenes of Jean’s visits to California. She is sitting at our kitchen table doing her morning puzzles with a cup of coffee and peanut-butter toast at hand, open to whatever the day has to offer. Jean’s and Axel’s heartfelt daily greetings of “I love you.” Her persistence in taming our messy yard, which was at its tidiest under her hard-working hands. Our jaunts up in the Berkeley hills--she easily completed two-mile walks into her eighties. Fierce cribbage games in which Jean triumphantly cleaned everyone’s clock. Her beautiful singing voice and renditions of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”
Jean’s gentleness hid a quiet but steady strength that saw her and her family through life’s ups and downs. I hold her as a model of someone who lived with graciousness and truly wish that in 2021 we could have enjoyed each other’s company in Minnesota. I will always hold her memory in my heart.

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Charlotte Hoes published a tribute .

I was so sad to hear of Jean’s passing. But, I consider myself so very lucky to have known her for the six years she lived at Copperfield Hill. The picture above is of the day she was moving in. I am on the left, and my coworker and I celebrated Jean’s arrival. She was very happy and always ready with a hug, kind word or a Jeanism. Jean was such an integral part of the Copperfield Hill community. Everyone loved her. She enjoyed bingo, cards, social gatherings and of course the daily coffee hours. She just loved people! She brought great joy to my life. Two very treasured possessions I now have are two handwritten recipes that Jean gave me. One for Skorpa and one for her hamburger soup. God’s speed Jean, what a faithful servant you were here on earth. Sincerely, Charlotte Hoes

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Janice Anderson Bornhoft published a tribute .

I was saddened to hear of dear Jean’s passing, but glad she peacefully went to glory in her sleep. Jean and Ed were both very important and positive influences in my life growing up. I enjoyed bringing communion to Jean for several years. It was a joy to see her twice a month before the pandemic when Mark and I would lead worship at Copperfield. She was always ready with a hug. I enjoyed many a skorpa and cup of coffee at her table. I called her every few weeks to check in with her these past 6 months. She will always have a very warm and dear place in my heart. She rests in the arms of Jesus I know for certain! We are keeping your family in our prayers. God’s peace. Jan and Mark Bornhoft

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Jeffrey Zieba published a comment .

Jan, thanks for leaving this. It’s so great that you were part of mom’s spiritual life at Copperfield. Is there a way I can get in touch with you?

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Raveevarn published a tribute .

One of the best parts about moving to the Bay Area was finding a beautiful friendship with the two most wonderful people Jeff and Bronwen. To top it all, it was an opportunity to get to meet Jeff's mom, Jean, with her love, warmth, kindness, and a great sense of humor, she had fully welcome me to be a part of her family. I truly cherish every moment with Jean… Thank you, Jean, for all the joy you gave us… You are truly missed… Love, Raveevarn

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Karen Bonini published a tribute .

Grandma! That’s what I called her. I was one of Axel’s teachers and it was ALWAYS a treat when she came to Berkeley. That smile. That kindness. Much love to all of you but especially Jeff. It was absolutely adorable watching you two interact. It’s been years but I could never forget Grandma. Much love. -Karen

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Kristine (Wolken) Dooley published a tribute .

I grew up on the same block as the Zieba’s, two houses down. My mom and the neighborhood ladies would have luncheons in the summer. I remember always called Jean “Sweetie” but I don’t know when that started. Wonderful neighbor ! Loss is hard but the love is eternal!

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