Jeanette Lola Tachenko Westra
November 6, 1947 – February 2, 2020
“The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want….
and I shall live in the house of the Lord forever”. Psalm 23:1,6b
Jeanette Westra slipped the bonds of this world February 2, 2020, calling out to her son, “Timmie,” who had gone on before her. She longed to see Jesus coming in the “beautiful clouds of heaven,” and ended every phone conversation with those words along with reciting the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm with whomever she spoke. She especially longed for that grand reunion with her son – when all would be set right.
Jeanette lived the last 35 years of her life in the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio area. She moved there to be near her brother and three sisters after her marriage of nearly 20 years ended. Jeanette and her twin brother, who died at birth, were born November 6, 1947 in North Dakota and she lived the first few years of her life in California. Her parents bought a farm and nursing home near Madison, Wisconsin where she lived most of her early years. She attended Wisconsin Academy and Andrews University (Michigan) before marrying Dan Westra in 1968. To their union was born a son, Timothy Daniel ~ born 1980. Tim preceded his mother in death in 2009. Jeanette was also preceded in death by her parents, Mike & Lola Beth Tachenko, two sisters, Carrie Westerback and Linda Bain, as well as her twin brother, David Tachenko. She is survived by one brother, Michael Tachenko (Gainesville, Georgia) and one sister, Teresa Appleton (Kettering, Ohio) who lived near Jeanette and loved and cared for her tirelessly.
Jeanette lived her life with great passion against many odds. She was known for her beauty, her brilliance, her wit, and passion. Tiffany Underwood, Jeanette's beloved niece eloquently reflected:
If I had to sum Jeanette up in a single word, it would be passion. Her survival was never flat, it was ever in 3D and surround sound. She painted with the entire palette of color. She lived fully. There haven’t been words invented for the color of her life, and I count myself blessed to have had access to her palette.
Likely, anyone who knew Jeanette well would reflect similarly. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
A memorial service and interment will be at Grassy Butte Church, 125th Avenue SW, Grassy Butte, McKenzie County, North Dakota, 58634 on July 18th, 2020, at 11:15 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Grassy Butte Church. Morris Sons Funeral Home, Kettering, OH. Online Condolences may be left at Morris-Sons.com.
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