2025 Legacy Award Honoree
Congratulations to the 2025 South St. Paul Legacy Award Honoree: Jean Kandt
Jean was born in Wheaton, MN and raise on a rented farm during the end of the depression. After high school, she moved to Alexandria to take a job in a bank. She met Myron Kandt and they were married in 1957. Myron and Jean Kandt along with his brother Russell and his wife moved to South St. Paul in 1957.
They purchased the English-Meeker Funeral home. Being a funeral director’s wife is very unique job. Being a 24/7 business it becomes a way of life and not a job. Greeting grieving families when they come in, setting up flowers, pushing caskets and bodies around as needed all while being the bookkeeper for the business.
Myron and Jean Kandt accepted the small business of the year award from the River Heights Chamber in 1988.
Jean has been an active member of the staff for over 63 years and can still be found at the funeral home on a daily basis, holding a cup of coffee and greeting families when they come in, at the age of 86.
They adopted a son Jeff in 1963 and in 1964 they adopted a daughter Krista. Jeff was diagnosed with Hemophilia in 1967. This started Jean in a lifelong endeavor to help others. Jeff’s disease required blood in its early stages before better treatments became available.
Jean became known as the blood donor lady. Many residents of South St. Paul received a call to give blood at Luther Memorial Church. In 2016 the American Red Cross recognized Jean as an Outstanding Blood Drive Leader for her long history of support estimated at over 45 years at that point. She continued to make her calls till the Covid crisis forced her to step back.
Jean was also recognized by the South St. Paul city council for her years of faith full service to the South St. Paul Library Board.
She was an active member and took leadership positions in the Divine Redeemer Hospital, Ladies auxiliary until the hospital was closed.
Currently, Jean serves as the treasurer and board member for the Central Square Center senior group.
Jean has been an active member of Luther Memorial Church.
She has held leadership positions at the church all her life and served on most of their committees, more than once.
Jean has dedicated her life to giving back to others. Never in the limelight, never looking for recognition, if a job needed to be done, she did it.