Jeanette Smidt

Jeanette wanted to see Jesus. Her family came to know this well. Because God's timing didn't suit her she had to be content with knowing that at least Jesus was sitting right there beside her. She shrugged, and supposed God still had something for her to do. So she kept on going, doing what she thought she should, for as long as she could. At last, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Jesus snuck up on her and carried her off to heaven. 

Jeanette Margie was born to Joe and Helga Suda on January 13, 1932 in Vesta, Minnesota. They lived in several small towns in Redwood County before settling in Holland, Minnesota where she attended grade school and St James Lutheran Church. Jeanette’s faith, and church defined her life. It was, after all, at a church Walther League roller skating party where she met Wally.

They were married October 15, 1950 at St James Lutheran Church where they were members for many years. There, and later at St. Paul Lutheran in Pipestone; Jeanette always found ways to serve Jesus. Teaching Sunday School, Ladies Aid, quilting, food for church luncheons, and casseroles for anyone who needed one. 

She was a hard-working farm wife. A big garden, then the canning. Extra cooking and baking at harvest time. Washing the milk equipment and bulk tank, tending newborn chicks, cleaning eggs, chasing cattle and baby pigs when they broke through the fence - usually when Wally was gone to the sale barn. Hanging clothes out just in time to catch the dust from the tractor coming up the road. 

Jeanette did something special for herself though. Getting engaged to Wally had left her with no time to finish high school - even though she had been Homecoming Queen. It turned out that needing money for a wedding dress, and furniture for their house, could also get her out of standing up front in speech class. Off to work she went. But eventually the day came when she wanted her diploma, so she took classes at the Pipestone Vocational School. And on graduation day in 1983 it was Jeanette who stood up front and delivered the class address.

After Wally and Jeanette moved into Pipestone from the farm in Cazenovia, Minnesota in 1991, Jeanette had more time for church work. In her youth she had wanted to be a missionary. At last her mission work began - making more quilts. How many, her family wonders, were sent into the world through Lutheran World Relief, or to the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls. With enough left to keep her great grandchildren warm. 

Along the way she perfected the art of rhubarb pie, and angel food cake. Thanks, Mom. Then, when her last ones had been made, she focused on seeing Jesus. 

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Don; and her husband, Wally. After Wally’s death in 2017 she moved into Ridge View Estates just as he had planned for her. There she was a friend to new residents, didn’t care for cards or bingo, sang into the night from her hymnal, and knocked on doors to remind others it was time for Bible Study. And she missed Wally. 

She is leaving many who will miss her. Her children, Karen Jerabek (David) of Manhattan, Kansas, Bruce Smidt (Elizabeth) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lisa Vander Sluis (Scott) of Le Mars, Iowa; eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; Jeanette’s sister, Gloria Smidt of Pipestone and her husband, Edward (Wally’s brother); sister-in-law, Dorothy Kueker (Ted) of Rochester, Minnesota; nieces and nephews, friends old and new.

The family thanks the loving staff at Ridge View Estates. It was the very best place for Mom to be. We are also grateful for the tender care at the end by the staff of Pipestone Hospice House. Mom often said she didn’t know how people got by in this life without Jesus. She would want you to know Him like she did. Memorials may be made to Lutheran World Relief or Lutheran Hour Ministries. Thanks, Mom, for everything.