Jean Gladys (Goodrich) JENISON

GOODRICH, JENISON, OLTHOFF, HANSEN, PAUL, GOODRICH, TATRO, DEMPSEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/6/2017 at 14:08:04

May 3, 1941 ---- April 4, 2017

Jean Gladys Goodrich Jenison, 75, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond. A Celebration of Life Service for Jean G. Jenison will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational, 116 West Main Street in Belmond, with Reverend Jim Gochenouer officiating. Visitation for Jean G. Jenison will be held from 1:30 – 3:00 PM Friday, April 21, 2017 prior to the service at the church.

Jean was born May 3, 1941 to Earl and Henrietta (Olthoff) Goodrich. She was raised in Kanawha and attended the Methodist Church. She was married to Jon Allen Jenison in 1958 and they made their home in Belmond. They raised 3 children, Delores, Brian, and Jeff. When her children were school age, Jean worked part time sorting corn at Acco Seed Company. Later, when she was widowed at the age of 50, she began caring for children in her home. A hands-on care provider, she and the kids enjoyed walks and picnics, and she taught them to cook her go-to dishes. She and her family developed long lasting, close relationships with the families of those children. She became a surrogate Grandma to many of the kids and they were an extension to her own family.

Always, the home body, after retiring she enjoyed TV game shows, visits from family, and sitting outdoors on the patio swing visiting with neighbors. She had a cat she called Baby and they were great friends for many years. She had a great love for cat collectables. A huge Elvis fan, her home was full of memorabilia relating to his career.

When it became difficult for her to live alone, at the age of 74 Jean moved to the Belmond Rehabilitation Center. She loved her time there. She adored the staff and the other residents. She especially enjoyed her routine of morning exercise, afternoon bingo, and chat time with best friends Frieda and Carl.

Jean is survived by her children, Delores Jenison (Stan Hansen) of Belmond, Brian of Houston, TX, and Jeff (Nicole) of Sartell, MN. Sister Joyce (Ron) Paul of Coralville, IA, brother Doyce Goodrich (Jean Tatro) of Mason City, IA, and Janice (Ronald) Dempsey of Garner, IA. She also leaves 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and very special daycare family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and grandson Jon Allen in 2005.

Ewing Funeral Home
http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries/jean-g-goodrich-jenison/