Jane passed away peacefully with her family at her side on April 6. She proudly served on the Board of the North Pine Area Hospital District, where she dedicated hundreds of hours with the Steering Committee, planning and then implementing the building of the new Pine Healthcare Campus. She applied her extensive health care and executive management skills to help drive the success of this transformative project for the North Pine Area Hospital District.
Public service was core to Jane’s professional and personal life. In 1991, Governor Arne Carlson appointed Jane as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, a position she held throughout his administration. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Minnesota Workforce Center System and contributed significantly to the passage of the Federal Workforce Investment Act in 1998, earning her national recognition.
Jane also served as a Board member of the Health Partners Board of Directors. Additionally, she held executive positions with various organizations, including Minnegasco, the Minnesota High Tech Association, the Minnesota Physical Therapy Association, Minnesota Diversified Industries, and was executive director of Second Harvest Heartland food bank until her retirement in 2007.

After retirement the family moved to Askov to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the area. Gardening, healthy eating and family were leisure passions of Jane.