1947 ~ 2026
Passed away on April 22, 2026. Jean was an avid gardener. She loved flowers and growing fruits and vegetables, which she learned as a child from her parents, Mavis and Bill Falls. She immersed her children in the love and support of family and friends. She taught her kids the importance of being active in a community. To have fierce independence. She shared her joy of cooking and baking. She reveled in the appreciation of adventures in nature and loved the north shore of MN.
Her adult life led her on a journey that started in Elko, MN, where she raised her three kids with her husband, Francis Wayne Benci (deceased 2013). She was a teacher for nursing students at the Vocational School in Rosemount, MN. She was also Elko’s Mayor for several years. She moved to Minneapolis when she began the next phase of her nursing career at the VA Medical Center. She truly enjoyed caring for people. She enjoyed many adventures with her best friend, Mary Ellen Flicek, and with her brothers and sisters, children, and grandchildren.
She will be missed by her daughter, Tabitha Benci DeRango (Brian DeRango); and son, Stephen Benci (Jennifer Benci); and son, Darin Benci; 2 grandchildren, Leona DeRango and Jude DeRango; brothers and sisters, Claire Falls, Art Falls, Randy Falls, Linda Falls, Elizabeth Falls, Beverly (Falls) Eide (Kevin Eide), Terri (Falls) Huston; including, nephew Billy Huston.
Jean was preceded in death by her brother, Howard Falls; and niece, Penny Eide.
May she be at home in heaven.
Jean’s memorial service will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th. St. E., Inver Grove Heights on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with visitation from 10:30-11:30 am, service at 11:30 am, and a luncheon to follow. All are Welcome.