Jeanette was an amazing person. She and Jack were both such great friends with my parents. After my dad died, they remained close with mom. Jeanette brought communion to my mom most Sundays when my mom could no longer get to Mass at St. Jude's. This went on for more than 3 years. I was caretaking for my mom and so I was there most Sundays to get to know Jeanette as a person and as a wonderful friend to my mom. After my mom died I was able to meet Jeanette for breakfast a few times and visit occasionally. Times I will never forget. I am heartbroken that I did not get to see her in the last months of her life. How she generally treated people, along with starting Grateful Grannies and that she and Jack worked hard every year to help people, are just some of Jeanette's contributions to the world. My heart goes out to Jack and to all of her family - she told us many stories about all of you and I know you meant the world to her. With love. Cheryl Plotz
Cheryl Plotz
April 8, 2020
Joy I am sorry to hear about your mom. She was a great lady and person. I will always remember her coming to see me when I had breast cancer. She was an angel. I told Kristin this your mom died on the same day as my mom but my mom died on May 20. They were both awesome people.
Heather Dvorsky
March 28, 2020
To the Family of Jeanette Ernst...I was so saddened to see Jeanette's obituary in the paper and to know that due to the current circumstances I would be unable to express my condolences in person. Over 30 years ago, I first moved to Cedar Rapids to begin my teaching career and my first home was at Gateway Gardens. I always enjoyed stopping by the office to visit with Jeanette whenever it was time to pay the rent or to inquire about anything related to the apartment. Later, when her grandkids, Lily and Evan went through Wilson School, I would see her at music programs and school events since I was an elementary teacher there. (Lily and Evan's mom, Lisa, did her student teaching with my grade-level colleague.) Many years after I moved away from the apartments and Jeanette had retired, I would still see her at Wilson (and later at Grant School -where I now teach) as part of the Grateful Grannies. She was always so excited to help out our kids and had the biggest, friendliest smile whenever she saw me. She always remembered me, and I will always remember her. She touched many people with her kindness. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Cecilia A Carey
March 26, 2020
Dear Jack and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of You loss. Jeanette was a wonderful and generous person. A real joy to be around. We went all the way thru school together and belonged to Campfire Girls. I never heard her say an unkind word.
Jeanette was a great organizer and wonderful speaker for Grateful Grannies. She will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers for you all.
Kathleen (Cushman) Burns
March 25, 2020
Jack and family. So sorry for your loss. We had the pleasure of providing care for Jeanette for roughly 4 years and in that time we all got to know how pleasant and special a person she was. This world will miss Jeanette as it is quite obvious she had a positive impact on the people with whom she interacted. Our sincere condolences.
Stewart Peterson, Pharmacist with CarePro Home Infusion
March 24, 2020
Sherry and family: Your Mom was certainly an amazing person. She made the world a better place by sharing life with others. We believe that her legacy lives on through each of you. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Gary and Nancy Strandberg
March 24, 2020
Jack and family,
Expressing my sympathies to you all. I grew up with Jeanette and went all through school with her. We had some great times together while in school and after, coffees, playing cards getting our kids together. She was a great person and will be missed from all she did helping others.
Rest in peace Jeanette.
Caryle Pazdernik-Steggall {Vosmek Twin}
CARYLE HOPE PAZDERNIK-STEGGALL
March 24, 2020
Jack and family, Chris and Bill. Jeanette was a wonderful person all her life. She was caring, loving, understanding. She will be a beautiful angel watching over you all. I was very much a part of the Thorson family in the 60's with Chris and Bill with many fond memories. Love and prayers to Jack, her children and grandchildren. Rest in peace.
Joan Segebarth Bex
Joan Segebarth Bex
March 23, 2020
Jack & family: We want to extend our sympathy to your entire family. We know Jeanette will be dearly missed by you all. Am sure you have many wonderful memories to cherish from all the good times you had together. Our prayers are with you all.
Bill & Donna Frese
March 23, 2020
Dear John & family: I am so saddened to hear of Jeanette's passing. I have so many great memories when we were kids, playing in your backyard chasing fireflies, or building forts out of pillows and shooting paper wads at each other while your mom was doing laundry and laughing at us, because we were laughing at each other. Jeanette was always caring and nice and I always enjoyed the time spent at your house.
George & Maria Cook
March 22, 2020
Dear Sherry and family, I feel privileged to have met your beautiful, caring mom. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and condolences for all of you, especially at this very challenging, difficult time. God's blessings to all.
Mary Klein
March 22, 2020
I have known Jeanette for many years. We lived a couple blocks from one another and were in Camp Fire together with Janet Whites Mother our leader. After marriage and kids we had coffee times with Pam and all the kids. I use to talk to her at Hall Perrine when her and Larry were having treatments. She was such a caring person, always looking out for everybody that needed help. She will always be remembered. The Good Lord took her to help others. He needed a Great Person in heaven. My sincere sympathy to Jack, John, Joy and Sherry.
Cheryle (Vosmek) Steggall
March 22, 2020
Thankful for the encouragement and comfort Jeannette gave to my mom, Gail Hietpas, during her recent cancer battle. Glad both of them are in heaven walking side by side again.
Jeannette was such a unique lady. She blessed everyone with her presence.
May God give you peace and strength during this time.
Danette Bontrager
March 22, 2020
Very sad to learn of the passing of Jeanette. We’ll all miss her. Have MANY fantastic memories of the old neighborhood and the fun everyone had.
John Weld
March 22, 2020
Jack, John, Joy, & Sherry - I was so saddened to learn this news. But I am also filled with warmth when I think of a great memories our family shared with yours, so many years ago. Whether it was good times shared in our connecting backyards, or the week Aimee and I spent at your home when our parents went to the Caymans, or the amazing weeks spent on the shores of Fifth Crow Wing. May these, and all your other happy memories, give you comfort as you navigate the weeks and months ahead.
Andy Weld
March 22, 2020
Jack,John,Joy,Sherry. I can't imagine, how much you will miss Jeanette. I know how much she loved all of you and your families. We talked many times about her prayers for all of you. It was my privilege to have grown up with her. She was an imaging person and a great friend. I will miss her greatly.
Nancy Snetzler
March 22, 2020
Dear Jack and family... I am so sorry to hear of Jeanette's death. My heart is happy that I was able to come visit with her a few months ago. I hadn't seen her for so long and I regret those lost years. We were cousins and our fathers were close brothers! She was an amazing woman full of positivity and love for so many. Such a great role model. Love...becky pardonek
Becky Thorson Pardonek
March 21, 2020
Jack, John, Joy & Sherry - I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much your beloved wife/mother will be missed. She has always been everyone's strength and hope. Always positive and always pushing herself to help those in need, even when she was so very ill. Heaven has opened its gates to one of the best!!!
lynn tichy
March 21, 2020
I hope you already know that words cannot express how much we both love Jeanette and for so many, many years. She gave such love and care to all her family . She extended that love and care to an even larger family. This woman of great faith will remain in our hearts forever.
Gretchen & Mike Sullivan
March 21, 2020
Jack, John, Joy and Sherry— Growing up with you and your family across the street provide me with the best second set of parents and siblings I could’ve ever asked for. Many of my best childhood memories circle around your family. From Barbies to the swingset, sandbox, lunches and walking to school. I can still visualize the inside and outside of your old house on 18th Street. You always made me feel welcomed and loved. Reconnecting with your mom and dad and John through Jefferson after all these years has been a blessing. Your mom’s ability to share love is unmatched. Your ability to continue her legacy of love is much appreciated.
Lorie Bateman
March 21, 2020
Dear Ernst Family: I've known Jeanette for many, many years and I feel blessed to call her my friend. Jeanette is an inspiration for all of us to help others in need. I'm so deeply sorry for everyone's loss of this beautiful, caring, wonderful woman called Jeanette.
Sharon K Ullrick
March 21, 2020
Dear Ernst Family,
When I heard of Jeanette’s passing this morning, I immediately flashed back to all of our great memories we had growing up and what a big part of our lives your whole family has been. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and know we are here for you if you need anything. All our love.
Wendy Orr
March 20, 2020
Jack, my heartfelt sympathy to you and all the Ernst family. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeanette in 2014 through my volunteer work at Hall-Perrine. In visiting with her, she told me about this organization called Grateful Grannies. It wasn't long before I joined the group, as a matter of fact because of her I fell in head first and we became good friends. So glad our paths crossed. RIP my friend, love you until we meet again
Carmen Wessels
March 20, 2020
My heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Ernst family. I had the privilege of knowing Jeannette through my volunteer work at Hall Perrine. What a beautiful lady! We spent many hours visiting and sharing conversations. She touched so very many lives. May the love of all who knew her bring you peace during this difficult time and in times ahead.
Deb Sjulin
March 20, 2020
My sympathies to the family. Got to know Jeanette from Hall Perrine. She was an awesome lady. A great loss
Karen Boeding
March 20, 2020