Jeanette Arleen Carol (Raad) Tufford, 94, long-time Fargo resident, died peacefully with family at her side on Saturday, July 1, at Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Jeanette was born on March 25, 1923, in Volga to Andrew and Amanda (Pederson) Raad. She grew up in Ahnberg, SD, and graduated from Volga High School in 1940. In 1941, she graduated from Eastern State Normal School in Madison and subsequently taught in South Dakota for four years. She went on to study at Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis and, after graduating in 1947, was employed as a parish worker at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D., for three years. She later worked at NDSU College of Pharmacy, Fargo Central High (until it burned down), and Fargo South High. Jeanette retired from the Fargo Public School System in 1986 after 20 years of service. She remained active at First Lutheran Church until moving to Sauk Rapids in 2003.

Jeanette married Floyd Tufford on June 10, 1950. They lived and raised their four children on Fargo’s north side. In retirement, they built a cabin on West Silent Lake near Vergas, Minn., where they enjoyed many summers gathered with family and friends. In her later years, Jeanette experienced memory loss from dementia but remained upbeat and cheerful. She had a strong faith throughout her entire life and, despite the progression of dementia, was still able to share her faith, quote favorite Bible verses, and offer blessings to all.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; husband (in 1998); infant daughter Lisa Jo; brother Arland and his wife Astrid; brother Lester and his wife Phyllis. She is survived by her children Joel, Sacramento, Calif.; Carol (Joe) Sauer, Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Kurt, Tracyton, Wash.; Julie, Eden Prairie, Minn.; grandchildren Briana, Daniel, Meredith, and Lauren; nephew Rolland Raad; and niece Rebecca (Raad) Ellis.

A memorial service in celebration of Jeanette’s life will be held at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D., at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 17. A private family interment will take place in September.

The family wishes to thank The Good Shepherd Community for their loving care of Jeanette, including the Memory Care Cottages where she resided for 11 years and the Nursing Home where she spent the past year. The family also wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for their support and guidance as Jeanette prepared for her final journey home.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the organization of your choice, Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minn., or First Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D.