Jeanne Donna Harkins

Jeanne D. Chiodo Harkins (nee Thorpe) April 7, 1927 - August 17, 2022 Jeanne Harkins 95, of Bloomington, MN passed away peacefully on August 17, 2022. She is preceded in death by her former husband Art Chiodo and her late husband Bill Harkins. Born in St Paul, Jeanne's parents relocated to Northome, MN where she began school in a one room schoolhouse at age five and was the only student in first grade. Soon after, her family moved to Minot, ND where they lived during the Great Depression. Eventually they moved to back to Minneapolis. A graduate of Marshall HS, class of 1944, she later earned her BA in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Gamma Omicron Beta sorority. After the war while teaching in Janesville, MN, Jeanne met fellow teacher Arthur J. Chiodo. They married and raised their family of five children and a German shepherd in southeast Minneapolis. Jeanne worked as a home economist for several years with the Minnesota Turkey Grower's Association where she created many recipes for all things turkey. As part of her job, she traveled around the state to the 5 Minnesota TV stations appearing regularly in their "spotlight in the kitchen" shows. Her passion for cooking and recipe development eventually led to her position as director of the Byerly's School of Culinary Arts at their flagship store in St. Louis Park. During this time period, Jeanne collaborated with other home economists to create the first edition of The Best of Byerly's - A Recipe Collection from the Test Kitchen of Byerly's Home Economists, published in 1985. During retirement, Jeanne contributed her culinary skills answering the baking telephone hot line at Land O Lakes. She loved to share entertaining stories of her career in the kitchen and was most proud of her home-made apple pie which she always brought along to family gatherings. As part of the organizing committee for Marshall High School reunions she reconnected with and later married former classmate Bill Harkins in 1998. Jeanne held a strong belief of giving back to the community. During her life she served as an election judge and as a Guardian ad-litem for Hennepin County. As a 50 year member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist church she participated in the quilting group that donated hand-made quilts to disadvantaged citizens. While she and Bill lived in Arkansas, Jeanne served as regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Little Red River chapter. Those who knew Jeanne described her as a dynamic lady with a zest for life and a passion for travel and reading. Besides trying out new recipes, watching the Vikings and the Twins, Jeanne loved spending time up north at the lake fishing, picking blueberries, and playing cards. Above all she was an avid daily reader of the Minneapolis Star/Tribune, Time magazine, historic novels and collector of cookbooks. She kept several on-going book lists and frequented her local library. Jeanne is survived by her children Nan (Bob) Ladehoff, Beth, Steve, and Lynn Chiodo, and six grandchildren and three great grandsons. Donations may be made to the Longville Area Food Shelf and the Kitchigami Regional Library System/Pine River Branch.

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Jeanne Donna Harkins

April 7, 1927 - August 17, 2022

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