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
sister 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.