Louise Jones

Louise Jones, Age 90 of Minneapolis MN, passed away peacefully on 1/15/2025.

Louise Gross was born in New York City, the youngest of five children and she grew up in a small apartment in Washington Heights. As a young girl, Louise enjoyed books and movies and followed famous stars and singers. In 1944, Louise came down with Polio and spent a year in the hospital and convalescence home. As a result of her illness, Louise had one weak leg and got short of breath easily. She met her future husband Roger Jones in high school, and they married after graduating from college in 1956.

Newly married, Louise moved to Urbana IL, where she worked as an editor while Roger attended graduate school. In 1960 Louise and Roger welcomed their first daughter, Greta Lorraine Jones. Roger completed his PhD and the young family moved to Rome, Italy for a one-year post-doc.

Upon returning to the U.S. in early 1964, they settled in Shoreham, NY and Louise gave birth to their second daughter, Irene Renee Jones. Even though they built a beautiful mid-century home in 1966, they sold it a year later to move to Minnesota.

While Roger started his new job as physics professor at the U of M, Louise settled their daughters into their new home in South Minneapolis. In spite of being an obvious east coast transplant, Louise thrived in the Twin Cities making hundreds of friends and acquaintances during the 55+ years she lived here. She went back to work in the mid 1970s and conducted vocational testing for the State of MN. She also did freelance writing, editing and graphic layout for the U of M extension services.

Louise and Roger had a shared love for the arts, and they frequented many museums, theater, opera and concerts in the Twin Cities and beyond. Some of their world travels include visits to Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, South Africa and a circle tour of South America.

Louise was also passionate about a variety of causes and gave generously to organizations that protect the environment, protect human rights, support human health and promote the arts. In later life she volunteered for some of her causes, including serving meals at St. Stephens Shelter with Congregation Or Emet, editing the quarterly newsletter for Friends of Hennepin County Libraries (Washburn Branch) and teaching English as a second language to new immigrants.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Irene Jones and her grandsons, Barrett Wagle and Benjamin Wagle. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Jones and her daughter, Greta Wagle.

There will be a celebration of life service for Louise in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her memory to Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR.org) or to your favorite charity.