Jeanne Botten

1930 - 2024

Jeanne Eleanor (Bjornton) Botten was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on July 14, 1930, and recently died on November 8, 2024 at her home in Brookdale  Senior Living in Stanwood.  When she was a junior in High School, she wanted a big change so she went to live with an aunt and uncle to attend Milltown High School in Wisconsin, where she graduated.  Later she moved back to Minneapolis to attend Augsburg College, where she met Nelvin Botten (aka known as Mel) in a choir class, then married him, thus earning her MRS degree.  They moved back to Nel's home town Seattle in 1950. Son Jeffrey was born in 1952, followed soon by daughter Tamara in 1954.

She worked for 33 years for various dentists.  In 1977 she and Nelvin moved to Stanwood where they retired to enjoy travel, boating, cruising, bowling and crafting.  She would refinish tables, chairs and other small furniture items for gifts and sale in antique stores.  She sewed small dresses for African missions, and also enjoyed rosemaling (Norwegian painting) as well as various needlepoint projects. She also volunteered for 20 years with the Northwest Dental van which provided free dental service to those who could not afford to pay,  and she helped establish 2 Lutheran churches. 

She is survived by her children Jeffrey Botten (wife Toni Burton) and Tamara (Botten) Riggs (whose husband Craig passed away suddenly this past February after 48 years of marriage.)  Also four grandchildren---Sam BB, Daylen, Micah and Megan Riggs and 5 great grandchildren.  After nearly 70 years of marriage to Nelvin, who passed away in 2020 from cancer, she has expressed much desire and extreme happiness to be joining him in heaven with Jesus.