Jewel Blanche Oaks

Jewel B. Oaks, age 96 of Minneapolis, MN, formerly of Park River, ND passed away Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the North Memorial Residential Hospice of Brooklyn Center, MN. Jewel Blanche Larson was born December 21, 1917 on her family farm outside Park River, ND, the daughter of the late Axel and Bertha (Helle) Larson. She worked in a local café, and then moved to Grand Forks to work for Fuller Manufacturing, a company supporting the war effort by producing tents for the army. Jewel was united in marriage to veteran Clarence Oaks on June 14, 1945. The couple moved to Washington State to be near his sister and lived there from 1945-1946. The couple then moved to Minneapolis in 1946, where Jewel worked as a seamstress for Lee Overalls for 10 years. In 1956, Jewel went to work for Northern Cap, where she stayed for 24 years, until she retired in 1988. Jewel and Clarence were married 37 years until his passing. Jewel remained a devout Lutheran, and dedicated every Sunday morning to church services on the radio and television. She was beloved by her family and friends for her indomitable spirit, her generosity, and her caring heart. Jewel is survived by her nephew, David Hanson, San Diego, CA; and niece, Julianne Hanson, Maui, HI. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, parents, brother, Alton Larson and sister, Minnie Hanson. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River.