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Published February 03 2010

Jane Marcella Ballou

Jane Marcella Ballou of Duluth/Superior passed away Feb. 2, 2010. She was born Feb. 8, 1962, in Superior, to Howard and Maryjane Johnson (Nelson).

Jane Marcella Ballou of Duluth/Superior passed away Feb. 2, 2010. She was born Feb. 8, 1962, in Superior, to Howard and Maryjane Johnson (Nelson).

She married Jeffrey Blake Ballou in 1980. Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer originally in 1999, and again in 2008. She died from complications of this disease.

Jane attended school in Superior, first Nelson Dewey Elementary, then East Junior and graduated from SSHS in 1980.

She has been a member of the Twin Ports Baha’i Community since 1985 where she served as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board of the Baha’is of the United States for many years. She is a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Duluth, as well as the Adult Coordinator of the Twin Ports Baha’i Youth Workshop, a youth dance troupe that performed locally from 1999-2003. Jane also chaperoned service trips to South Dakota and Arizona for the youth.

Jane worked for Cohen Enterprises for many years, first at The Library/Zona Rosa Restaurants in Superior, and later at the company’s corporate office with Photo Star Studios and Photo Tecnic. She later worked at the Bella Vita Restaurant in Duluth.

In 1998, Jane became job placement coordinator and eventually program manager for the Opportunities Cooking Program at the Damiano Center in Duluth. In 2001, she was hired by ISD 709 as a technical tutor in Culinary Arts for the Innovative 8th grade Collaborative Program at the Secondary Technical Center. In 2002, she became a Culinary Arts Instructor at this school, a position she held until her death. She received her bachelor of science degree in career and technical education from Bemidji State University, and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Jane was given the Outstanding Career and Technical Education instructor award from the Minnesota Association for Career & Technical Administrators in 2007.

Jane is survived by her husband Jeffrey, two sons - the lights of her life – Jaron (Katie) and Collin, a dear stepdaughter and best friend Carolyn (Mark) Kassebaum, two precious granddaughters Kylee and Grace Kassebaum, a very special brother James (Amy) and his dear family, her dearest father-in-law Robert Ballou, stepdaughter Allison Ballou, brothers Randy and Jeff (Michelle); and sisters-in-law Joy (Jim) Ballou Jantzen and Becky (Ken) Ballou Buck, as well as nine nephews, six nieces, one great nephew and two great nieces.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday in the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to the 11 a.m. services at First United Methodist Church, 230 E Skyline Parkway. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials to Hartley Nature Center’s Camp Scholarship Fund, 3001 Woodland Ave. Duluth, MN 55803. Arrangements by the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E Second St., (218) 727-3555.

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jim j.
Ocala, FL     02/05/2010 11:21 AM

Sue Balcer from Ocala, Fl. Jane was in my 5th grade Sunday school class at Zion Church. I was a good friend with her mother. It was so sad to hear of her death and her struggle with cancer. Her mom loved her so much and spoke fondly of her often. I am sure Jane will be missed by many. Her life here on earth was too short. Sincere sympathy to the family.

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R C.
Beverly Hills, CA     02/04/2010 11:54 PM

Remain in Light. Life never ends.

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penny m.
Winchendon, MA     02/03/2010 7:17 PM

Jane and I sat at the same table in kindergarten, played at Nelson Dewey's playground in the summers, and remained classmates to graduation in 1980. She was tall, graceful, friendly, pretty, soft spoken and gentle. Jane will surely be missed, including by people like me that haven't seen her in a while. Genuine and tender sympathies to her family and friends.

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