Romanus Jean Donelan

Romanus Jean Donelan, age 90, known as "Roni" in childhood and "Jean" in adulthood, died on March 27, 2026. She was born February 3, 1936, to parents Felix Joseph and Mary Elizabeth "Bess" (McCabe) Donelan. She grew up on a farm in Montrose, South Dakota, the eighth of nine siblings. She was high school class president and homecoming queen, celebrated for her kindness. She attended the University of Minnesota and worked for many years as a dental hygienist in Los Angeles, regularly cleaning the teeth of movie stars. She lived in the Santa Monica and Brentwood neighborhoods of Los Angeles, enjoying daily strolls in the warm sunshine. She loved travelling, oil painting, quilting, shopping for nice clothes, hosting family visitors and giving gifts. She was an active member of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Los Angeles and had many friends. In later years, she found a partner and travelling companion in Neil Wallace Thompson. He called her "Jeanie." In March 2023, Jean made the decision to return to South Dakota, to be closer to extended family. She spent a year at Touchmark Senior Living and then moved to the memory care unit at Good Samaritan Prairie Creek in Sioux Falls. Her smile and spirit were genuine and generous, always. Jean is survived by sisters-in-law Judy Donelan (Montrose) and Mary Jane Donelan (Sioux Falls) as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Neil Wallace Thompson; her parents; siblings Joan Donelan, Merle Francis Donelan, Bernard William Donelan, Sister Agnes Marie Donelan, Mary Therese Heiberger, Lawrence Irenaeus Donelan, Mary Darlene Steinauer, and Michael Patrick Donelan; sister-in-law Patty Donelan and brothers-in-law Steve Heiberger and Clem Steinauer; niece Patsy Donelan and nephew Dan Donelan.

A memorial service for Jean will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Heritage Funeral Home (4800 S. Minnesota Ave) in Sioux Falls followed by inurnment at 1:30 pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Montrose, SD.