Jean McLaughlin

Jean McLaughlin, age 92, of Willmar and formerly of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar, Minnesota. A Memorial Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Interment will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the St. Clotilde Catholic Cemetery in Green Valley, Minnesota.

Jean McLaughlin, affectionately known as “Mean Jean from Green,” passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on May 11, 2025. Born on June 14, 1932, in North Dakota to Mildred Agnes (Fulton) Davis and Ralph Kenneth “Scoonie” Davis, Jean lived a vibrant life filled with love and laughter.

Born Norma Jean Davis, she detested the name Norma, a fact her late grandson Corey found endlessly entertaining. He would dare his cousins to call her “Grandma Norma” just to see her reaction—a challenge no one was brave enough to accept.

Jean found her soulmate in Clarence “Mac” McLaughlin, a North Dakota native like herself. Together, they raised four children—Linda, Denny, Gary, and Tim—and made their home in the close-knit community of Green Valley, Minnesota. Jean’s lively personality and sharp wit endeared her to many around her, making her a beloved figure in the neighborhood.

Jean worked at Jahrs Flower Shop & Nursery, JC Penney, and Hy-Vee in Marshall, where she left a lasting impression on colleagues and customers alike. Outside of work, she had a passion for gardening, spending summer days tending to her flowers. Her talent in the kitchen was equally admired, especially her famous potato salad, which no one could ever replicate.

Jean’s colorful expressions were cherished trademarks of her character. She’d exclaim that “it’s raining pitchforks and hammer handles” during a heavy rain or joke that it was “hotter than the dickens” on sweltering days.

Mornings often found her in her housecoat, fly swatter in hand, ready to chat over coffee with family and friends. Speaking of her housecoat, Jean was once spotted by a neighbor walking outside, in her housecoat, with a BB gun in hand. The neighbor noted it looked like she was hunting down some kind of critter.

More than anything, Jean loved her family deeply. They were the center of her world, and her greatest joy came from time spent with them. Beyond her roles as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and more, Jean was an incredibly loyal friend. She loved her friends, both new and old, like family.

Her legacy of love, humor, and resilience will live on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the many friends who were blessed to know and love her. Her wit, warmth, and boundless love will be dearly missed, but her memory will forever bring smiles to those who remember her.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence McLaughlin; baby sister who died at birth; parents, grandsons Jason Jaspersen and Corey McLaughlin; son-in-law Bruce Jaspersen; and several dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She leaves behind four children: Linda Jasperson; Denny McLaughlin and his partner Kallen Hull; Gary McLaughlin and his wife Gloria; Tim McLaughlin and his wife Karen; brother Darold Davis and his wife Brenda; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at Copperleaf Memory Care in Willmar for their constant love and care of Jean. They also wish to thank St. Croix Hospice for their compassion and support during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Jean by spending an afternoon tending to your garden, enjoying a cup of coffee with someone you love, or mastering your own potato salad. Jean’s memory will continue to inspire smiles, her wit and warmth forever cherished by all who loved her.

~Written by Jean's family~