September 17, 1924 – May 17, 2024

Jeanette C. Hanenburg passed away on May 17, 2024, at the age of 99 years and 8 months. She was born on September 17, 1924, to Cornie and Minnie (Veldhuizen) De Jong. She attended Edgerton grade school and high school and graduated in 1942. 

On March 7, 1944, she was united in marriage to Theodore Hanenburg. They became charter members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and attended there faithfully. Jeanette wrote: “Always ready and willing to go to church on Sunday. God was the center of our home!” Jeanette had four children. She loved being home with them and going to their school functions. 

Jeanette and Ted farmed for 15 years and then Ted took employment at Brink John Deere Implement, and in 1968 they moved into Edgerton. According to Jeanette, “We had fifty golden years in our home in Edgerton and enjoyed our neighbors very much.” Jeanette refinished antique furniture, made quilts, braided rugs, and did hemstitching. She also did all of the varnishing and finishing on Ted’s woodworking projects, and together they produced many beautiful heirloom-quality pieces such as nativity sets, clocks, doll houses, and jewelry boxes. 

Jeanette was also an incredible seamstress, and made many of her children’s and her own clothing, and in later years sewed quilts and doll clothing for her grandchildren. Jeanette was a masterful household manager who kept a spotless home and canned and froze fresh garden produce every year. Three of Ted and Jeanette’s children made their home in Washington state, and Ted and Jeanette made many wonderful trips to visit them. Along with Ted, Jeanette also traveled to Hawaii, Europe, Florida, and New Mexico. 

Jeanette is survived by three of her children, D. Jay (Betty) Hanenburg, Lynden Wash., Mary (Warren) Lubben, Port Orchard, Wash., and Beth (Randy) Spronk, Pipestone, Minn.; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and three siblings.   

She is preceded in death by her husband of 78 years, Theodore Hanenburg, a son Terry Hanenburg, her parents, and two siblings.

In reflecting on her own life, Jeanette returned again and again to her faith as a cornerstone of her many years, and hymns such as My Jesus I Love Thee, and How Great Thou Art, were particular favorites. Jeanette wished for her legacy to be centered upon Lord’s Day 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism: 

Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A: That I am not my own, but belong–body and soul, in life and in death–to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.