Nurse, World Traveler Dies at 84 After Long Illness

Jean Elizabeth Dennison, of Burnsville, passed away Jan. 21, 2013 after a courageous four year struggle with congestive heart failure. She was 84.

Dennison was born on Sept. 13, 1928. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine in 1950 before starting a lifelong career in nursing. She was an avid reader who also loved to research family genealogy. She was also an enthusiastic traveler. She and her husband enjoyed trips to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico, but the British Isles were her favorite destination. She had a special place in her heart for England, Scotland, and Ireland.

She is survived by her adoring husband of 61 years, Richard; her children, Cheryl (Andy) Shern, Kathy (Denny) Hansen, Elizabeth (Frank) Drew, Diane (Kurt) Shirley, James (Cathy) Dennison, and Patrick Dennison; and also by 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who will miss their grandma immensely.

A celebration of her life will be held this Saturday Jan. 26, 2013 between 1 p.m. and 3 at White Family Funeral Home in Burnsville. Memorials to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) are preferred in lieu of flowers.

See and sign Dennison's online guestbook here.