Services for Jeannette Gemelke will be held at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall on Monday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will be held beginning at 5:30 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at the Calvary Cemetery. Jeannette died in her residence on Friday after a long struggle with kidney disease.
Jeannette was born to Arthur Dandurand and Josephine (Regnier) in Berthold, North Dakota. She moved to Marshall when she was an infant. She made her first communion and was confirmed at Holy Redeemer; she attended St. Joseph Academy through the 8th grade. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1947. She later went on to work at the Marshall Messenger and Baldwin Press.
She married Robert (Bob) Gemelke on February 10, 1948, and managed to raise seven children (her beloved “motley crew”) in spite of her frequent struggles with health problems. The family moved to Ghent in 1963. Jeannette was a member of the VFW and was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary.
Jeannette was an intelligent woman; she was an avid reader and a crossword puzzle enthusiast. She also had a wonderful flair for writing. Whether she was scrawling a poem in a birthday card or contributing an article to the Marshall Independent, she was never at a loss for finding just the right words.
Jeannette possessed both a never-ending faith in God and an impish sense of humor—two qualities that made her a source of joy for everyone around her. She was a member of the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent and attended mass every week until her health began to fail. She demonstrated her faith in daily generosity, loyalty, and laughter. She found the good in every person and offered unconditional kindness and support to anyone who needed it.
Jeannette was a truly remarkable—almost magical—person. She was the best mother and grandmother God could ever give anyone. Blessed be her memory.
Jeannette was survived by and will lovingly be remembered by her children, Tim (and Patty), Terry, Taryn (and Brad Jackson), Ruby (and Fred Stumm), Tobi, and Regan (and Shelly), as well as eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Jeannette was preceded in death by her husband (Bob), her son (Tom), her four infant children (Rachael, Tammy, Robert, and Robin Renee), her father and mother (Armand and Josephine), and her siblings (Armand, Edward, Eugene, Daniel, Evelyn Fredrickson, and Donna Renneke).
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the Marshall Davita dialysis nurses, patients, and family members. If you wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Jeannette, please consider Marshall Hospice or the National Kidney Foundation.
Blessed Be The Memory of Jeannette Gemelke.