Jane and I ended up in the same history class the summer of our sophmore year. I wasn't much of a student as many of you may remember, but I took a history class every summer to get 'ahead' in school. Jane was a sweet girl and I developed a crush on her that summer. I remember going to her house a couple of times; I think on North 5th street. We were friendly, but never dated. When I went to Mankato State in the 70"s we took a field trip down to Mankato High for one of the teaching methods classes. Jane was the teacher that day and I remember she had us do an excercise trying to pick up marbles using chop sticks. I'll never forget that day. She was a lovely lady; may she rest in peace.
Jane was my dearest friend for more than six decades. I will always miss her wit and humor, her insight and wisdom, her compassion and decency. When I doubted my judgment, I leaned on Jane's wisdom, and she inevitably suggested practical and kind pathways. I revered her lifelong dedication to children and community, and her contributions were great. Jane's obituary in the Mankato Free Press notes her work and well-deserved awards. Jane was a force for good and I will miss her so.
I spoke with Jane several weeks before she passed. She was witty and reflective about life. She reminisced about how she would tell her MHS students that she was a Mankato High Grad and that maybe some day, they would be teaching there too! Jane said that they would groan at that idea!! She laughed as she recounted this story, clearly touched by her teaching experiences!!!
Jane was curious about an upcoming trip that I was taking to France. She asked me to send her pictures. I did. She expressed joy and sweetness at seeing these pictures, always curious to the very end!!
Jane lived with grace and dignity - and she died as she lived, with grace and dignity!!
May the Force be with Jane Nordgren Schostag - and with all of us!!
Jane and I discussed many memories which spanned our 10 years at Franklin and our three years in high school. A new story to me occurred in one of her high school classes. The teacher asked the students to critique his effort at writing a novel. She laid it on the line: "Kids don't talk like that." In order to earn an advanced degree, the teacher pursued other writing avenues. She cared alot about her students and all children. Her outstanding teaching career included a good sense of humor and many tolerant and kind acts. I contacted her after i saw the Mankato Free Press article about Jane and her doula helper. I am very grateful that I made the effort. She was a great example of wisdom and kindness.
Since we moved back to Mankato, we have been very fortunate to spend a lot of time with Jane and David. I was blessed to have many hours of Jane's time in her last weeks. She called it Jane-sitting and offered popcorn and alcohol! She said she was keeping a list of crazy things people said to someone who was dying and when I said I hope I haven't said too many of those things, she replied "Only about 50%". I am still hoping she was kidding! She was an inspiraton with her sensible approach to her death. She was teaching those of us around her about dignity, respect, and living life to the fullest right to the end. The night before she died she was still texting with my grandson answering his very direct questions about death and still encouraging Leo to write in complete sentences! A teacher to the end!
Larry Berberich
Jane and I ended up in the same history class the summer of our sophmore year. I wasn't much of a student as many of you may remember, but I took a history class every summer to get 'ahead' in school. Jane was a sweet girl and I developed a crush on her that summer. I remember going to her house a couple of times; I think on North 5th street. We were friendly, but never dated. When I went to Mankato State in the 70"s we took a field trip down to Mankato High for one of the teaching methods classes. Jane was the teacher that day and I remember she had us do an excercise trying to pick up marbles using chop sticks. I'll never forget that day. She was a lovely lady; may she rest in peace.
Larry Berberich
Carolyn Penn (Maki)
Jane was my dearest friend for more than six decades. I will always miss her wit and humor, her insight and wisdom, her compassion and decency. When I doubted my judgment, I leaned on Jane's wisdom, and she inevitably suggested practical and kind pathways. I revered her lifelong dedication to children and community, and her contributions were great. Jane's obituary in the Mankato Free Press notes her work and well-deserved awards. Jane was a force for good and I will miss her so.
Carolyn Penn Maki
Nancy Wilson (Ankeny)
Jane lived with grace and dignity - and she died as she lived, with grace and dignity!!
Michael (Mike) Kearney
Jane and I discussed many memories which spanned our 10 years at Franklin and our three years in high school. A new story to me occurred in one of her high school classes. The teacher asked the students to critique his effort at writing a novel. She laid it on the line: "Kids don't talk like that." In order to earn an advanced degree, the teacher pursued other writing avenues. She cared alot about her students and all children. Her outstanding teaching career included a good sense of humor and many tolerant and kind acts. I contacted her after i saw the Mankato Free Press article about Jane and her doula helper. I am very grateful that I made the effort. She was a great example of wisdom and kindness.
Mike Kearney
Diane Hunter (Frost)
Since we moved back to Mankato, we have been very fortunate to spend a lot of time with Jane and David. I was blessed to have many hours of Jane's time in her last weeks. She called it Jane-sitting and offered popcorn and alcohol! She said she was keeping a list of crazy things people said to someone who was dying and when I said I hope I haven't said too many of those things, she replied "Only about 50%". I am still hoping she was kidding! She was an inspiraton with her sensible approach to her death. She was teaching those of us around her about dignity, respect, and living life to the fullest right to the end. The night before she died she was still texting with my grandson answering his very direct questions about death and still encouraging Leo to write in complete sentences! A teacher to the end!