Jeanette Jesse Wisner

Jeanette Wisner, born Jesse Jeanette Monk on April 29, 1930, in Britton, Oklahoma, was one of Jesse and Florence Monk's seven children. Her family moved from Oklahoma to Colorado before settling in what is now the Tri-Cities, Washington, where her father was employed at the Hanford Nuclear facility.
Jeanette married her first husband, George Heard, in 1947 and had three children: Jeffery Mark, Deborah Sue (Swaney), and Sarah Kirstie (VanderHoek). They lived in several states during their marriage, including Washington, Nevada, Georgia, and Oregon. In 1960, George passed away from complications following heart surgery, leaving Jeanette widowed at the young age of 30. She returned to the Tri-Cities, Washington with her children to be closer to family, before moving to Yakima sometime later.
While living in Yakima, Jeanette met Allen (Al) Wisner at Fruitvale Baptist Church; they wed in 1966 and relocated to the Seattle area. Together, they built a life renovating older homes, building toys for their grandchildren, taking road trips across the United States and hosting memorable family gatherings.
Jeanette was a constant creator in her own right, making unique and special gifts for her children and grandchildren. From dolls and doll clothes to slip covers for all the furniture in her home - her hands were rarely idle. She was the consummate hostess of large family gatherings, often serving her "Goop" sandwiches and chocolate cake. Her "Big Foot Pancakes" were a particular hit with her grandchildren on a sleepover weekend. When she wasn't creating something special, she was likely reading a book. Always a student of history - her home and bedside table were a reflection of this.
Eventually she and Al retired to Aberdeen, Washington, where they remained until Al's passing in 2009. Jeanette continued to live independently for several years, staying active in her community through hosting book clubs and social events.
Jeanette passed away peacefully in Olympia, Washington on July 8, 2025 at the age of 95. All six of her siblings preceded her in death.
She leaves behind an impressive legacy including three children, two stepchildren, eighteen grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren. Her enduring heritage lives on in her passed down recipes, handmade creations, strong work ethic and unconditional love.
A celebration of Jeanette's life is planned for Sunday, September 28th, 2025 11a-3p. Location: Jacob Smith House – 4500 Intelco Loop SE – Lacey, WA. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jeanette, please visit our Tree Store.