Jeanne Cannady

Norma “Jeanne” Cannady (née Rosenow), 91, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, April 25, 2023, with loving family at her side.  She was proceeded in death by her infant son Billy Jim, husband Gary Reuhmann, sister Joanne, and grandson Simon Litke.  Jeanne is survived by her children Nicki (Ken) Peterson, Jennifer Sanderson, Bill Cannady, and Stacy (Arnie Ehlert) Cannady; grandchildren Kate (Evan) Bowman, Anna (Tim) Opheim, Megan Evans, Evan (Nikki) Litke, Tyler Cannady, Laura (Nate) Hainlin, and Jessica Cannady; great-grandchildren Tanner, Alivia, Connor, Sadie, Scarlet, Oak, Sunny, Lucy, Olivia, and Sawyer; and close family friends Kari Ott, Kathy Fredrickson and Terry Sullivan.

Jeanne was so proud of her family; their pictures and epic works of art graced every corner of her home.

Jeanne was born on February 20, 1932, to William and Margaret (Roush) Rosenow in her family home near Earling, Iowa.  She and her sister Joanne grew up on the family farm, enjoying the company of her many cousins and extended family.  She attended Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, graduating as a Registered Nurse.

Jeanne married James Cannady, a fellow nurse, in 1954 and began her career at Rochester State Hospital where she remained until the facility closed in 1982.  She continued her nursing career evolving into education at Rochester Community College and then in diabetes education with the Mayo Clinic and St Marys Hospital.

Jim and Jeanne raised four children in their home on East River Road in Rochester.  They later divorced and she moved to Fergus Falls and then to Rural Battle Lake MN on the Ottertail River with her partner Gary Reuhmann whom she married in 1984.  She worked sixteen years with the Fergus Falls State Hospital first as a nursing supervisor and then heading the Chemical Dependency Unit until her retirement at age 75.  Jeanne and Gary were busy with many interests and adventures together.  They built her dream home on Dead Lake in 1999.  Jeanne was very proud of their landscaping and gardening at the new home and enjoyed her family visits on the lake.  They became environmental supporters with their involvement in the Lakes Association working toward better lake management.  Jeanne and Gary started the Friends of the Feral Cat Program in 2009, under which they provided services to over 1630 cats in Ottertail and the surrounding counties.

Her daughter Stacy was her primary support during her last years, helping to manage her illnesses and health care as well as day to day life which provided many opportunities for making wonderful memories and laughter all around.

A celebration of life is planned for July 2, 2023, at Stacy’s home in Battle Lake, MN.

Arrangements with Glende-Nilson of Battle Lake