Janet Ruth Coursolle

Coursolle, Janet Ruth Age 82, of Minneapolis passed away on Tuesday April 16, 2024. She loved her family, her friends, her faith, her work, music, dance and laughter. Janet was known for her fierce independence, fun-loving, free spirit, style, creativity and commitment to the marginalized and disenfranchised. She adored her four grandchildren. She is survived by her son Patrick (Jeannie) Shields and four grandchildren Thomas, Erin, Carolyn and Joshua, Plantation, FL ; sisters Dodi Thorman (Dave), Victoria, MN, Ellen Thoma (Tom Anderson), Prescott, WI, Ann Coursolle, Philadelphia, PA; niece and nephews and many family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Louis Coursolle, younger brother Tom, many aunts and uncles, and her mentor Aunt Charlotte Owens. A lifelong resident of the South Mpls Loring Park neighborhood and faithful member of the Basilica of Saint Mary, she was an active volunteer and member of the Basilica of Saint Mary's Contemporary and World Music Ensemble Mundus. Janet knew she wanted to be a social worker as a 15 year-old teen. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Benedict, inspired by a favorite aunt and encouraged by her parents, she pursued a life-long career serving children, pregnant teens and adults, refugees, burn victims, Native American women and inter-city Black mothers and families. She worked as a Medical Social Worker in several hospitals throughout the Twin Cities during the course of her career. She also performed in several community theater groups, local dance companies and was well known for her "birthday singing telegrams." Janet was active in city and state volunteer political and social action organizations. A Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at 11:30 am, Wednesday May 29, 2024 at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 88 North 17th St., Mpls., with visitation one hour prior to Mass. A reception will be held immediately following Mass. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Janet's name to the National Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601; Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 N. 7th St., Mpls., MN; Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota 57770. Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400

Published on May 12, 2024