JEANETTE A. HEIDEL

Jeanette A. Heidel, age 91, of Plymouth died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, with her family members present singing her favorite hymns. Jeanette flew away to be with her Savior at the Plymouth Care Center, where she had resided for the past two years. She previously resided in Adell from 1984 through 2007.

She was born March 9, 1918 in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., to the late Cornelius and Minnie (Reimes) Van Sluys. The first of four children, Jeanette helped with the family’s work from an early age. By age 8 she was trusted to peddle eggs, chickens, fruits and vegetables from her mother’s truck farm to neighbors and regular city customers. The family did not have a car, so Jeanette traveled miles on foot with her loaded coaster wagon. Her efforts, usually performed on the run, enabled the poor family to survive the Depression when her father was unable to find a paying job.

Like her mother, Jeanette was very smart, a top student. She attended public schools in Sheboygan Falls and was the first of 46 grandchildren to graduate from high school. This was a source of great pride to the adult relatives of her extended Dutch family.

Meeting people was easy for Jeanette; she was a great socializer. Throughout her life, people loved to be around her and call her their friend.

Though she couldn’t sing in tune, Jeanette loved music, especially the hymns sung in her Dutch Reformed Church. She also whistled and danced through the Big Band era with her high school friend and future husband.

After high school Jeanette wanted to study to be a teacher, but her parents couldn’t afford the expenses, so she had to find a job. After working for a year as a maid in Kohler, Jeanette married Arthur William Heidel on June 19, 1937, in the home of her parents. She then left her Dutch clan, moved to Arthur’s rural dairy farm, joined his German family, and became a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in the town of Sherman.

Jeanette believed that a farm was a wonderful place to rear children. She embraced her life as farm wife and mother. Though not a trained teacher, she taught her four children to love learning, to have good values and work ethics. She continued self-education through her involvement in church, Mission Circle, Farm Bureau, Homemakers Club, 4-H leadership, Associated Country Women of the World, County Community Welfare Council, Mental Health Society, Catholic Social Services, Red Cross worker, poll worker, federal census taker, and helping her children with numerous school and 4-H projects.

In later years she actively engaged in all aspects of the Adell Senior Center. She helped daughter, Kathlyn, compile histories for her Van Sluys, Reimes, Daane, Heidel, Torke, Klahn, and Kruschke families. She was the benevolent matriarch of the Heidel family.

Jeanette and Art worked hard to make a good life together. Their influence on family and friends is huge. Jeanette helped shy Arthur to become socially comfortable and successful, and enabled her children to make good lives for themselves.

Jeanette is survived by three children: Kathlyn Heidel of rural Cascade, Karen (Leroy) Cravens of Corunna, Ind., and David (Angelita) Heidel of rural Random Lake; cousin, Bonnie Maarkus; her grandchildren: Suzanne (Rex) Winebrenner of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Brian (Jennifer) Cravens of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Denise McCalla of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Thelma Heidel at The University of Minnesota at St. Paul; Johann Heidel of West Bend, Wis.; and Melissa (Elliot) White of Yuma, Ariz.; her great-grandchildren: Alex Richards, April and Abigail Cravens, Cameron, Devin and Christian McCalla; great-great-granddaughter; sister-in-law, Dorothy Van Sluys of Sheboygan Falls; numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends, Mary and Doug Anderle, and Geri Bertram.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur; her son, Alvin Heidel; her brothers, Marvin and Harold Van Sluys; brothers-in-law, Harold Kimme and Palo Parsley; sister, Margery Kimme; and sisters-in-law, Gertrude Heidel and Jeanice Van Sluys.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherman Center with Pastor Greg Laska officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Cascade. A celebration of Jeanette’s life and a meal will be held at the Church Center following the service.

Friends may call at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

A memorial fund has been established in Jeanette’s name for the Plymouth Care Center. Online condolences may be sent to www.wittkoppschneider.com. Wittkopp-Schneider Funeral Home of Plymouth is assisting the family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the dedicated staff of the Plymouth Care Center for the wonderful care and concern they have shown throughout Jeanette’s stay.