Passed away on February 19, 2023 at the age of 98. She was born on August 19, 1924 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up primarily in the Highland Park area. In early 1941 Jean met Russell Alm from Minneapolis on a blind date. They immediately clicked and, after several years of dating and dancing at The Prom ballroom, got married on Jan. 15, 1944. Following the war, where Russ was a Navy pilot, Jean and Russ settled down in Richfield, Minnesota, where Jean became a dedicated and loving homemaker, raising a son, Roger, and a daughter, Sharon. In 1958, the family relocated to Edina, Minnesota, where Jean and Russ resided for the next 24 years. In the late 60s, after her children left home, Jean followed her dream of becoming a grade school tutor for disadvantaged children. This dream was born while Russ and family were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia during the Korean War. While down there, Jean was appalled at the segregation that led to black children receiving a substandard education. Responding to this grievous situation, Jean launched a career lasting over 50 years tutoring disadvantaged grade school students, specializing in improving their reading skills. To start, she chose Bethune grade school of North Minneapolis and remained there for many years. Jean was so successful that Bethune had a “Jean Alm” day to honor her volunteer work. The tutoring continued after Jean and Russ retired in 1982 to Sun City, Arizona, this time focusing on the poor neighboring Hispanic community. Following the death of Russ in 1999, Jean eventually relocated to the San Diego area to be closer to her daughter Shari, her son-in law Dick, and her grandson Brad. Now well into her late seventies, she once again reestablished her tutoring there. Over the years, Jean has been honored many times by her communities, including a “12 Who Care” award from the NBC affiliate in Phoenix and two national Jefferson awards. Jean once said that tutoring and teaching children was “the greatest and most important part of her life – and the most fun!”<br><br>Due to declining health Jean retired from volunteering and returned to the St. Paul area about ten years ago (despite the weather!) where her son Roger and his wife Lisa reside. Struggling to maintain as much independence as possible, she lived in several different retirement communities, each one offering an increasing level of care. Finally, after a second bout with Covid-19 last October, Jean began nursing home care, where she gradually succumbed to congestive heart failure. Special thanks to the caring staff at St. Anthony Park Home and their HealthPartners hospice team who supported and cared for her so well during her stay.<br><br>Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Russell Alm; her father, Joseph Frantz Sr.; her mother, Grace Frantz; her brother, Joseph Frantz Jr.; her sister, Joan Tietz; and her brother, George Frantz. She is survived and will be missed by her son Roger Alm and his wife Lisa Monzel; daughter Sharon Bouten and her husband Richard; grandson Bradley Bouten; granddaughter Christi Harmon; granddaughters-inlaw Sarah Greenburg and Terri Greenburg; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her sister Mary Frye; and her many loving nieces and nephews.<br><br>A celebration of Jean’s life will be scheduled for later this year.<div></div><br>