Jeanette Darlene “White” Birkes

Jeanette was born July 31, 1937 to Clara and John White, in Sioux City, IA. Jeanette came
from a family of five children, she was the oldest by 9 years. Jeanette and family spent several
years in Sioux City, before moving to a farm in Jackson, NE. Mom was never a fan of the
farming lifestyle, she was too neat and tidy for that. Ha! Ha! She left home after High School and
attended and graduated from Wayne State College, with a degree in teaching. She went on to
teach at a one room school for a few years and enjoyed teaching.

Jeanette married Don October 24, 1959. She worked at Sioux Tools until the birth of her first
daughter, it was at this time she decided to be a full-time mother and wife. She loved her girls,
extended family and home more than anything. People used to tease her that they could eat off
her floors and she was very proud of that. She loved to help care for her nephews and shopped
at various garage sales to keep clothes on everyone’s backs. She loved a good sale and
everyone loved the “new” clothes! Ha! Ha!

Mom loved being a Grandmother “Grammy” to both her grandkids Kelsee and Stefan. She
loved attending all of their sporting events, school concerts and anything they were involved in.
She hated the cold, but would sit outside and freeze just to watch the kids play whatever sport
they were involved in at the time. Then in 2016, she became a Great Grammy for the first time
and her world got a whole lot brighter. She loved her time with Landree and Calvin, reading
books, playing games, going on walks and coloring pictures. She wasn’t around to meet Beau
and Grant, but I really believe they crossed paths in Heaven and she loves them non the less.
We strongly believe she and dad are watching down on all of us, keeping us in line and enjoying
watching the kids grow.

Jeanette loved her yearly trips to Las Vegas with dad, Jim and Judi. Mom wasn’t much of a
traveler, she liked being home with her family, but never missed a Vegas trip. She loved
collecting quilts made by her mother and sister Carol and proudly displayed them in her many
different homes.

It was very rare to not see Jeanette without a can of coke in her hand. She loved to snack on
Bing candy bars while drinking her coke and as many of you know she couldn’t pass up treats
from Palmer Candies. Ha! Ha! Mom was a very special lady, quiet, loving, kind and protective of
her family.

We miss mom every day, but are thankful that she is no longer suffering and has gone on to
Heaven to be with Dad, family and friends who have also passed. She is with Jesus and her
pain is gone and for that we feel blessed.