Jeanine V.

Laursen

Jeanine Vivian Laursen, 78, of O'Neill, died Friday, July 11, 2025 at Accura Healthcare in O'Neill.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in O'Neill.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the church in O'Neill. 

Burial will be in the Orchard Hill Cemetery in Orchard.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Jeanine's name.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Jeanine was born Aug. 14, 1946 to Arden and Vivian (Derickson) Laursen in Orchard.

When Jeanine was an infant, she contracted spinal meningitis – and from an early age, was hampered by physical limitations, including deafness and limited use of her limbs. Jeanine spent most of her life confined to a wheelchair – unable to hear, speak, or use the right side of her body. She may not have known how to read, nor write, but was able to communicate in ways which expressed her feelings and wishes.

Jeanine benefited from a rural farm upbringing – where she learned valuable life lessons. In addition to typical farm animals: cows, horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens – her parents also provided many opportunities for Jeanine to experience more exotic species such as bison, peacocks, golden and silver pheasants. It was not uncommon for the newest addition to be ushered into the living room for patting and scratching from Jeanine.

Although an only child, Jeanine was surrounded by dozens of first cousins and loving family. On nearly a weekly basis, the family would congregate at one farmhouse or another for a family dinner or special celebration.

Jeanine loved people. She delighted in visits from family and friends her entire life. Once Jeanine met a person, she never forgot them! Jeanine especially loved babies of all kinds. She was a pure joy to anyone who ever met her.

Jeanine developed her own symbols (resembling shorthand) and filled notebook upon notebook of her writings – some of which was done while the rest of us studied and completed our homework. Jeanine was also known to write her own version of a letter, complete with addressing the envelope! She followed a calendar and acknowledged many special dates – like birthdays and holidays. Despite being unable to read, she recognized handwriting styles and connected them to cards and letters received from others.

After Jeanine's father passed away, she and her mother moved from the farm to their home in O'Neill. Shortly thereafter, Vivian became ill. Jeanine and her mother relocated to the nursing home in O'Neill where Jeanine remained for the rest of her life.

Jeanine is survived by two aunts Norma Jean Lieb and Nancy Derickson, dozens of cousins and a multitude of extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.