Jeanette A. Gerrietts

1944 - 2025

Jeanette A. Gerrietts

January 24, 1944 - March 21, 2025

Jeanette A. Gerrietts, 81, of Waverly, IA, died on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

She was born on January 24, 1944, in Carroll, IA, to K.V. and Alice (Jensen) Christiansen. She was baptized on March 19, 1944, and confirmed on April 12, 1959, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA.

Jeanette attended Audubon Public Schools, graduating from Audubon High School in 1962. She went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Estherville Community College in 1964, followed by a Bachelor of Science in elementary and middle school education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, in 1966.

Jeanette began her teaching career as a 5th grade teacher in Anoka Public Schools in Minnesota, where she worked from 1966 to 1969. On June 28, 1969, she married Darrel Gerrietts at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. After relocating to Iowa, Jeanette spent several years as a substitute teacher in Waterloo Community Schools, IA, from 1969 to 1972.

Over the years, Jeanette balanced her love for teaching with commitment to community service. She served as chair of the Calhoun County Republican Party and as the director of the Rockwell City Library. She was a devoted mother to four children and continued to be an active volunteer in various capacities.

In 1986, Jeanette began working for the Waverly Shell Rock Butler-Bremer Hospice as the Coordinator of Volunteers. As the organization transitioned to Cedar Valley Hospice, she served as secretary of the Board of Directors and continued her volunteer work for many years.

Jeanette went on to further her education, earning a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Northern Iowa in 1994. She worked as a librarian at Tripoli Public Schools from 1994 to 2000, and then spent the next nine years splitting her time as a media specialist at St. Paul's Lutheran School and as a reference librarian at Wartburg College, both in Waverly.

Active in her faith, Jeanette was deeply involved in the Lutheran church women's groups at the churches her husband served. Later, when he no longer served a parish, she served as secretary of the church council, volunteer librarian, member of the Phoebe Circle, and the bell choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly. Her love for learning and community extended to her participation in various bridge clubs, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and its book club, and Delta Kappa Gamma, where she was a past president of the Alpha Pi' Chapter.

At the time of her death, she was a resident of Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, after a five-year struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Her legacy of faith, service, and dedication to family and education will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.

Jeanette is survived by her husband, Rev. Darrel Gerrietts; and their four children, Jennifer Gerrietts-Masters (Timothy), Anne Gerrietts, Rev. Dan Gerrietts (Molly), and Christa Olson (Mike). She is also survived by seven grandchildren; two brothers, Ken Christiansen (Diane) and Keith Christiansen (Rosalee); and many cherished friends and family members.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, K.V. and Alice Christiansen, and a nephew.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly, with Pastor Corey Smith presiding. Burial will follow in Harlington cemetery in Waverly. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 until 6 p.m., at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly, and also an hour prior to the service on Thursday, at the church.

Memorials can be directed to either Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community or Cedar Valley Hospice and online condolences left at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home of Waverly is assisting the Gerrietts family with arrangements.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home

319-352-1187