Jean Carol Dalton, 80, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd.

Jean was born on September 5, 1945, in Brainerd, the daughter of John and Linda (Mustonen) Steinbach. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Bemidji Technical College. She went on to build a long and dedicated career as a Medical Transcriptionist for the State of Minnesota. Jean took great pride in her work and deeply valued the stability it provided, allowing her to care for and support her children.

Jean was a caring and spirited woman, known for speaking her mind and never hesitating to encourage a friend to "go find trouble." Her spunk and humor were contagious, a quality that remained with her even in her later years as she charmed the nursing staff at Edgewood Vista. Jean shared her wisdom freely, and her life experiences gave her the rare ability to see situations from many perspectives. She found joy in the simple beauties of life—watching birds and butterflies, caring for cats, and especially taking her cherished trips to Montana to visit a dear friend and spend peaceful days on the lake.

Jean is survived by her children: Wayne (Carleen) Peterson, Angel (David) Dalton, Christian Peterson, and James Harding; her grandchildren: Corey Peterson, Dalton (Amy) Peterson, Dustin (Claire) Peterson, RaeJean Peterson, and Rachel Harding; many great-grandchildren; her sisters, Arlene Severson and Linda Soderman; her Edgewood family; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ray.

A Celebration of Jean's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to the service and are welcome to stay for a luncheon following the service.