Leone (Lee) Margaret Eloise Jaenson Nelson Zopff

life story

Leone (Lee) Margaret Eloise Jaenson Nelson Zopff

Age 94, of Minneapolis and the Gunflint Trail, passed away March 9, 2024.

Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; husbands Jack Nelson and Fred

Zopff. Lee was born in St. Cloud, MN, in 1930.

She graduated from Tech High School and was named the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes in 1949. Lee attended Gustavus Adolphus College where she met her husband, Jocko, who became a football coach.

Their first residence was in Grand Marais where Jocko coached the football team and taught at the High School.

They enjoyed many years of attending games, including 3 Superbowls with the MN Vikings, and making friends along the way.

They owned Jocko’s Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint Trail for many years and following Jocko’s early death, she ran the resort on her own for several years. Lee spent summers at her home on Leo Lake, where she hosted friends and family. Lee was an active member of the Gunflint Trail Historical

Society and the Gunflint Trail Quilters; she volunteered at Chik-wauk Museum, Westminster Church and Orchestra Hall.

Lee was a wonderful wife, mother, businesswoman, grandmother and friend. She was a talented baker, seamstress, knitter, quilter and enjoyed craft projects. Lee loved to support her grandchildren by attending events, games, concerts and many birthday parties.

Survived by children, Margaret (John Books), Jackie (Mike Gulden), Dan, Bob

(Angela); grandchildren, Jenny, Patrick, Hannah, Caroline, Jack; 3 great-

grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service is at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave,

Minneapolis, on Saturday, May 4th . Visitation from 10-11am, funeral service at

11am. It is probably going to be online as well. A luncheon reception will follow

at the church. A private burial will be held. A Celebration of Life is planned for

this summer on the Gunflint Trail. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to

Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Dept (www.gunflint911.org)

www.cremationsocietyofmn.com, Edina, MN

memorial service

Visitation from 10-11am, funeral service at 11am

May 4, 2024

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1200 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA

It is probably going to be online as well. A luncheon reception will follow at the church. A private burial will be held. A Celebration of Life is planned for this summer on the Gunflint Trail. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Dept (www.gunflint911.org)