Mikels, Jeanette E. (1933 - 2010)

MIKELS, EISTERHOLD, RAU, GARRISON, FERRY, CHICKERING, RANNEY, GAUL, BRUCK, BISSEN, MUMM, NELSON, KUETHER, JONES

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/19/2013 at 12:54:09

Jeanette Eleanor Mikels - Age - 77

Jeanette Eleanor Mikels, also known as "Skippy" to her brothers and sisters, the daughter of Gilbert and Lidwina (Eisterhold) Rau, was born near Westphalia, Iowa on May 10, 1933. She was baptized at St. Boniface Catholic Church and attended St. Boniface Grade School in Westphalia. Her family then made their home near Portsmouth where she was confirmed at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Portsmouth on May 27, 1951. She became engaged to Richard Mikels before she graduated, but did not marry him until December 30, 1953 at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth.

Before her marriage, Jeanette worked at the White Star Café and The Hotel Coffee Shop in Harlan while Richard was in the military service. She also helped families when new babies were born and helped keep house for several families. She loved picking apples at the Brickyard Orchard every fall for several years and treasured the friends she met and worked with.

After their marriage, Richard and Jeanette farmed North of Portsmouth for a year, then moved to their present farm East of Portsmouth. Being a farm wife, Jeanette raised chickens and helped with the farm chores. In 1981, she went to work at Communication Data Services, where she met many friends. She retired from CDS in 1995 and continued to help Richard farm.

Jeanette loved to read and watch love stories. One of her favorites was Doctor Zhivago. Working outside in the garden and caring for her flower beds was very important to her as was cooking, canning and sewing. She quilted with other women in a quilting club, as well as quilting at home. She enjoyed working by herself. Social events with her family and friends were a source of fun and laughter for her. She played games and had scavenger hunts with her grandchildren. Jeanette was an active member of her church and spent much time with her family at church events.

Jeanette died on October 28, 2010 at her home near Portsmouth, Iowa where she attained the age of seventy-seven years, five months and eighteen days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Christopher and her siblings: Marie, Mike, Alma, Leonard and Sr. Lita.

She is survived by her husband Richard Mikels of Portsmouth; her children: Lyle and his wife Julie Mikels of Harlan, Iowa; Lynn and his wife Lori Mikels of Newbury Park, California; Jayne and her husband Dan Garrison of Harlan; Cheryl and her husband Tom Ferry of Harlan and Sue and her husband Bret Chickering of Harlan; five grandchildren: Dan Ferry, Lynsey and Timothy Mikels, Dylan Garrison and Rhiana Chickering; one great grandchild, Seth Ferry; three step-grandchildren: Mat Ferry, Richard and Robert Ranney; her siblings: Dorothy Gaul of Earling, Iowa; Leo and his wife Jane Rau of Omaha, Nebraska; Zita Bruck of Harlan; Martha and her husband Paul Bissen of Harlan; Verla and her husband Charles Mumm of Dunlap, Iowa; Mervin and her husband Nels Nelson of Kirville Texas, Patricia Kuether of Pierce, Nebraska, Gil and his wife Mary Anne Rau of Lander, Wyoming and Judy and her husband Dick Jones of Omaha; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Rev. John Dorton celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima in Portsmouth, Iowa on Monday, November 1, 2010. Inurnment was held Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth with Craig Rau, Galen Mikels, Dean Mikels, Wayne Mikels Mike Mumm and Wayne Bruck serving as casket bearers.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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