LuAnne Jean (Johnson) Gjerset passed away peacefully in Georgetown, Texas the evening of January 8, 2026, at the age of 91. LuAnne was born on July 8, 1934, in Colton, South Dakota, daughter of the late Ludwig and Hazel Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, who passed away two months earlier on October 28, 2025.

LuAnne grew up during the Great Depression, and what she learned in her early years stayed with her for the rest of her life. She worked tirelessly to achieve a better life for herself and her family, and to serve her community. LuAnne was one of four women, in a class of 61, who earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 from the School of Business Administration at the University of South Dakota. She moved to Minneapolis for her first job, and in 1957 she married the man who had loved her since he first saw her some 10 years earlier, James (Jim) Gjerset. LuAnne happily worked to support herself and Jim as he earned his dental degree and master's in orthodontics.

LuAnne's career was sidelined, however, in December 1964. When the adoption agency called with news of an available baby, LuAnne immediately quit her job, her friends threw her an impromptu baby shower, and Luanne prepared their one-room military housing by converting their top dresser drawer into a crib. LuAnne and Jim went on to adopt three more children – daughters Gretchen, Heidi, and Andrea.

Jim and LuAnne ultimately chose to start an orthodontics practice in Grand Forks, North Dakota. LuAnne acted as the CEO and CFO of the practice, which thrived under her watchful eye for over 30 years. In addition to running her husband's orthodontics practice, LuAnne was a volunteer for numerous community service programs, including school organizations, the YMCA, various components of the University of North Dakota and Calvary Lutheran Church. She spent countless hours taking her children to various extracurricular activities and was their biggest fan.

LuAnne also loved cooking and hosting dinners, whether for family, friends or neighbors.  Every Sunday during hockey season, the Sioux hockey team had a sign-up sheet hanging in the locker room and the first four players to sign up spent the afternoon with LuAnne, Jim and the children which usually culminated with a feast of steak and potatoes and a movie. She hosted holiday dinners for family and friends until the last few years of her life and always took the time to teach anyone who was interested how to make their favorite recipe of hers.

As she and Jim got older, they were able to travel all over the world, volunteering their time for the American Association of Orthodontics and then the World Association of Orthodontics. They met many wonderful friends during this time in their lives and enjoyed the work and friendships immensely.

What sets LuAnne apart from most was her toughness, grit, and competitiveness. She won two serious battles against cancer and overcame a massive stroke and various cardiac ailments. She simply refused to lose and refused to complain. It was the same when she played cards or other games. She played to win, whether it was double solitaire throwdowns with her sister-in-law Carol or Joker/Joker and Scrabble with her son and daughters. She would play anyone who had the gumption to challenge her, and if she lost, she always wanted an immediate rematch.

LuAnne had a beautiful signing voice and loved classic musical films.  Her favorite was the Sound of Music.  It was the rare holiday when the family didn't gather to watch that movie and listen to my mom singing along.   Luanne was generous to everyone she met and always found the good in them. She was the best mother any child could hope for, and her children and grandchildren got most of the benefit of her love and kindness. Her children were the luckiest kids on the planet to be adopted by the best mother in the world. Everyone who knew her knew that she brought something special and memorable into their lives.

Do not cry and sulk that she is gone, smile and rejoice because she lived. Do not pray for her to return but pass on the love and wisdom she left.   Do not let your heart be empty because she is gone, let it be full of the love that you shared with her.  Be happy for tomorrow because of all that she meant to you yesterday. Think not that she is gone but cherish her memory each new dawn.  She would not want your sympathy, she would want you to remember her mischievous grin after each win and she would want you to smile when you think of her, to love, and with her memory in your heart, to live on.

LuAnne was the loving wife of Jim Gjerset for 68 years and the most amazing mother possible to her children, James "Jens" Gjerset, Jr., Gretchen (Michael) Matiatos, Heidi Gjerset, and the late Andrea (Jeffrey) Lundeby. LuAnne was the proud grandmother of Ryan (Riley) Gjerset, Connor Gjerset, Emma Gjerset, Savvas Matiatos, Sam Rasner, Hallie Rasner, Alexandra Lundeby, and Jacob Lundeby.