Obituary of Edith Clara Jankowski

Edith Clara (Ramstrom) Jankowski, 98, passed away June 14, 2015 at Franciscan Health Center in Duluth. She was born March 30, 1917, and grew up on a farm in French River. Edith graduated from Clover Valley High School in 1934, and married Ed Jankowski in 1941. Edith and Ed raised two daughters, Beverly and Barbara. Over their years together, she and Ed enjoyed entertaining, dancing and bowling with their wide circle of friends. They spent many Christmases at Little Grand Lake and took fishing trips to Lake Nipigon - memories Edith remembered fondly and spoke of often. In recent years, she enjoyed dancing, playing cards and socializing with Bud and many close friends. Edith embraced her Swedish heritage, delighting people with her famous braided cardamom bread and Swedish pancakes. She shared her recipes with her grandchildren, who are now carrying on her tradition. In 1976, Edith traveled to Sweden with her sister Helen to explore their heritage and meet their parents' relatives. Edith loved people and words. She enjoyed writing and receiving cards and letters from friends and family. She was an avid reader of the newspaper, often including special articles with her letters. Her mind stayed sharp throughout her life. She did the Jumble and crossword puzzles daily and could beat most people at Scrabble and UpWords. A lifelong Duluth resident active in the community, Edith belonged to numerous organizations, including the Homesteaders Club, AARP, Good Shepherd Church, Golden Arrow Travel Club, Swedish Cultural Society, Ladies of the Elks, Lenox Club, BN Veterans Club, and, for many years, United Baptist Christian Church. Edith was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Brita Ramstrom; brother Erik; sister Helen Hicks, and husband Edward. She is survived by daughters Beverly (Richard) Zengel of Mesa, Ariz., Barbara (Richard) Darland of Duluth; three grandchildren Carolyn (Richard) Michalak of Belleville, Mich., Mary (Larry) Quinnett of Enumclaw, Wash., and David Ritchie of Duluth; four great-granddaughters, Justine and Jillian Nelson of Belleville, Mich., and Gabrielle and Olivia Quinnett of Enumclaw, Wash.; nephew Jon (Jane) Hicks of Minnetonka, Minn.; cousin "son" Kirk Davis of Phoenix, Ariz.; and very special friend Walter (Bud) Seaquist. The family thanks the dedicated and caring staff of Franciscan Health Center for their loving care of Edith in the last months of her life. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 3 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2015. Please join us in reminiscing, laughing and sharing memories of Edith in the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue. Visitation one hour prior. Services entrusted to Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200