Obituary

Nina Jean Cassens, 92, of Blaine, MN; formerly of Rockford died Saturday, August 30, 2026. She was born September 4, 1933 in Polo, Illinois, the daughter of Jakob (Jake) Ditzler and Katherine (Katie) Ditzler. She grew up in Polo and graduated from Polo Community High School in 1951. Jean worked one year in Polo after high school for Schwenks and the Tri County Press as the local events reporter.

On September 6, 1952, she married LaVerne “Vern” Cassens in a small ceremony at First Christian Church in Polo. They built a life together centered on family, faith, and community and were married 59 years when Vern died in 2011. After their marriage, they moved to Champaign, Illinois where Jean worked for the Animal Science Department while Vern finished his degree in Accounting. They then lived in Baltimore, Maryland for two years while Vern was in the Army. Son, Jeff, was born in Baltimore before moving to Rockford, IL where they spent the next 55 years. Son, Dan, and daughter, Amy, were born in Rockford.

Jean was very active in the church and with her many close friends. She was never known to say No to a card game and enjoyed league bowling. She was a devoted and dedicated Mother and Grandmother who always was there to support her family. She had a brief stint as a landlord when she and a friend renovated a condemned, historic home in South Rockford. She was also a dedicated volunteer for years at Friends of Rockford Public Library and spent many years washing residents’ hair at River Bluff Nursing Home. Grandma Jean was also quite the cook, specializing in Swedish pancakes and a vast variety of cookies, and always available to read books to her grandchildren.

Although admittedly not a huge fan of travel, Jean literally saw the world. She and Vern took each grandchild on a high school trip of their choice visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Australia, and Mackinac Island. She went to Europe twice to visit her kids attending school in Germany, France, and Greece, and she and Vern organized many extended family vacations all over the USA. During retirement, they wintered in many southern states before settling on Fort Myers as their favorite.

Jean relocated to Minnesota for the past 5 years of her life to be close to son Dan and daughter-in-law Sheri. Jean is survived by sons Jeff (Nancy) Cassens, Dan (Sheri) Cassens, and daughter Amy (Nassos) Papalexandrou; and seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Vern, her parents, her three brothers and four sisters.

Jean will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was always giving of herself to help and support others.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave., Rockford, IL 61104. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 prior to the service in the chapel. Burial at Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for a memorial to be established with one of Jean's favorite charities at a later date. To share a memory or condolence please visit olsonfh.com