Jeanette Frances Johnson

Jeanette Frances Seefus was born on April 10th, 1917 in Clayton, Wisconsin. She relinquished her crown as Valley High School's oldest living graduate on March 17th, 2015 Jeanette moved to Douglas County Nebraska when she was one year old. She considered herself a "Valley Girl" and never wanted to leave this fair city, her home for a lifetime. She graduated from Valley High School in 1932 at the age of 15 and was honored last summer as the oldest living graduate of Valley High School at the Valley Susquiecentennial celebration. She proudly wore her purple as she rode in an open convertible in the parade. Jeanette married Albert Lundean Johnson on October 16th, 1937. To this loving union five children were born. Thomas (Tom) was born in 1941, Judith (Judy) in 1943, Virginia (Ginny) in 1946, Sally in 1950, and Lori in 1958. Jeanette has always stated that one of her greatest achievements was that she and her husband were able to see each of their children graduate from the University of Nebraska, since neither she or Al were able to attend college. Jeanette joined the Valley Presbyterian Church in 1931 and she was a charter member of the Baptist Presbyterian Church in Valley. Jeanette was a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher and also served as an elder in the church. She also served as President of the Presbyterian Coterie (women's organization) and later attended the Baptist Presbyterian Church Women's group. She volunteered in the Church office and gave generously of her time as church secretary. Jeanette was a very important volunteer in the Valley community and was happy to be able to contribute information to the Valley Sesquicentennial committee. She was Queen of Alluvia, an organization which helped to develop the Valley City Park. She served as President of the Valley Woman's Club and received an honorary lifetime membership in the Valley PTA. Jeanette always felt that she should support the youth organizations that her children were involved in and as such, she always volunteered to assist in fund raising and serving on committees. She sold fireworks to help the American Legion baseball teams and was on the first committee to start the Girl Scout organization in Valley. She was a charter member of the Valley Band Boosters, which assisted in purchasing the first uniforms for the Valley band. She was also a member of the Purple PrideBooster Club and always enjoyed rooting for the Valley Terriers at football, basketball, and baseball games. When her children finished high school, she also became a very loyal and energetic Husker fan! She assisted and always helped with the Valley Rainbow Girls activities and later in life became a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Valley. She and Al were also charter members of the Valley Historical Society. Being so active in the Valley Community helped her to be named as Valley Woman of the Year in 1981. In addition to Jeanette's community activities, she also spent many years working. She attended Business School in Omaha after graduating from high school, and after this she worked at Robinson Seed Company in Waterloo, Nebraska. As her children got older, she also worked for Valmont Industries for four years and then worked as Secretary to the Superintendant of Valley schools for several years. She retired from that job in 1981 to spend time at home. After Al's death in 1991, Jeanette moved to a duplex in Valley where she lived several years, before her vision became severely affected by macular degeneration. During this time, she and Sterling Burke became very close friends, since they both had recently lost their spouses, and these couples had known each other for many years. When Marquis Place opened in Elkhorn, Jeanette moved there since her deteriorating eyesight now required more assistance for living. When Orchard Gardens opened in ???? Jeanette was delighted to become the first resident of this beautiful facility. A further decline in her eyesight and condition,required that she move to Valhaven four years ago. Throughout these years of transition, Jeanette developed several close friends such as Elvie McFarland, Hildegard Macek, and Mort Prouett. She also was able to maintain her friendship with several of her long time friends such as Marian Witte, Irene Boardman, don Boberg, and other church friends as they also became residents of these facilities. Jeanette was always looked to as a leader and enjoyed serving on the resident councils of these facilities. Jeanette was a true fashionista and a leader of women. With four daughters and a chance to clothe all of them, as well as her self, she frequently was found shopping, both in her younger days and as she grew older. Before her vision deteriorated she was an outstanding seamstress and frequently dressed her daughters in matching dresses that she had sewn. She also sewed for her granddaughters and made doll clothes for her daughter's and granddaughter's dolls. But her sense of fashion and her ability to always find a good bargain were passed on to all of her daughters and to Linda Wagner Waters, her daughters' good friend. A "Jeanette bargain" is still a term that her daughters, granddaughters, and Linda use today for any great classic purchase that just can't be passed up! Above all of Jeanette's community involvement, most of all, she was devoted to her family! She was an exemplary example of a daughter, a mother, an aunt, a sIster, a grandmother and a great grandmother. She and Al always put family first and dedicated their lives to helping their family. Losing their daughter, Judy, at the age of 33 was a tremendous challenge for the entire family. However as their children got older and had families of their own, Jeanette and Al traveled to many locations across the country to spend time with their children and grandchildren! As great grandchildren came along "Grandma Johnson" or "Grandma GiGi" became even more precious to her entire family! She attended every grandchild's high school graduation and also many of her grandchildren's college graduations! Weddings also were never missed as each grandchild made sure that Grandma Johnson was present at their special occasions! Her great grandchildren have also surrounded her with love and she is always included in the daily prayers of her great grandchildren. As her Great Granddaughter Sophie said recently, "Grandma GiGi is just a MIRACLE"! With eleven grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren (and one more on the way), and one great great grandson, there was never a lack of family love for Jeanette! Her room was always full of pictures of children and family members which frequently had to be rotated out as new pictures arrived from homes across the U.S. Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, John F Seefus and Clara Elizabeth Reisch, and by her three brothers, Johnny, Raymond, and Harold. Her husband, Al died in 1991 and her daughter, Judy, died in1976. She is survived by her children, Tom Johnson and wife, Patricia, Ginny Robinson, Sally Johnson, and Lori McCommons and her husband, Jim. She is also survived by grandchildren, Tami Johnson, Traci Johnson Mowen, Anne Woodward Driewer, Mike Woodward, Ben Robinson, Joe Robinson, Melissa Bachman, Andy Robinson, Erik Cantlon, Mandy Mireles,and Christopher Cantlon. These grandchildren have blessed her with 27 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Alyce Seefus. A special niece, Arlene Ritner, has been by her side and visited her routinely for several years. Arlene and her daughter, Cheryl Eckerman kept a close eye on her and included her in family and holiday celebrations when Jeanette's family were unable to be here. Her good friend and caregiver, Carol Casebeer, has also been a steadfast companion for her. She is also survived by nephews Chuck Seefus, Jack Seefus, Bobby Seefus, Fred Ek, and niece by marriage, Marilyn Johnson. She is also survived by several grand nieces and grand nephews. Jeanette Johnson would have celebrated her 98th birthday on April 10th at the casinos with her daughter Ginny (who wouldn't let her lose) and her niece Arlene! She will be incredibly missed! She was privileged to have lived such a long life, but Valley, Nebraska was also privileged to have her consider herself a "Valley Girl" and devote her life to this community! We celebrate and honor her very special life today!

Jeanette Frances Johnson

April 10, 1917 - March 17, 2015