Jane Roots

Jane Roots age 58, formerly of Tracy, MN, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in Spearfish, SD. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Jane Ann Roots was born June 6, 1949 to Stanley and Kathleen (Nelson) Clark in Worthington, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and grew up on a farm outside Fulda, MN. She attended Fulda Public Schools and graduated from Fulda High School. Jane then attended college at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, receiving her degree in Elementary Education. She then taught school in South St. Paul for a year. On July 8, 1972 Jane married Russell Roots at the Lutheran Church in Dundee, MN. They moved to South Dakota and taught school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and later in Clear Lake, SD. In 1975 they moved to Tracy, MN where Jane was a substitute teacher for many years. She also was a full time piano teacher until 2006 when both Russ and Jane retired to Spearfish, SD. Jane was a past member of Tracy Lutheran Church where she was active over the years in the church’s women’s groups and was the director of the children’s Carol Choir. She was a member of the Southwest Minnesota Music Teachers Association for over twenty five years and will be remembered fondly by many students in the Tracy area. On Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Jane died in Spearfish, SD at the age of 58. Jane is survived by her husband, Russell Roots of Spearfish, SD; three sons, Jeremy Roots of Spearfish, SD, Joshua (Maria) Roots of Bergen, Norway and Jordan Roots of Minneapolis, MN; three brothers, Jim (Bev) Clark of Mankato, MN, Bruce (Karen) Clark of Watertown, MN and Dan (Michelle) Clark of Reno, NV; five nieces, one nephew, cousins and a great many friends. Her parents preceded her in death. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Hospice of the North Hills, 1440 N. Main St. Spearfish, SD 57783.