Jeanette Ann Grandgenett
October 16, 1932 – August 23, 2021
Jeanette Ann Kavanda was born October 16, 1932. She passed away on August 23, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
Jean was preceded in death by husband, Dr. Donald James Grandgenett; parents, Frank and Anne Kavanda. She is survived by four children and their spouses: Nealy Grandgenett (Anne), Suzanne Allen (James), Reed Grandgenett (Wendy), Michael Grandgenett (Roxanne); 13 grandchildren: Nicholas Grandgenett (Amy), Hanna Barks (Matt), Emily Clark (Tyler), Jacob Allen, Stephanie Sabin (Matt), Samantha Allen, Skylar Allen, Megan Dolney (Lowell), Ryan Grandgenett (Molly), Drew Grandgenett, Randi Grandgenett, Cory Grandgenett, Jared Grandgenett; great-grandsons: Carter Sabin, Michael Sabin, Jonathan Dolney; sisters, Virginia Mahlberg, Debbie Kavanda; and numerous other family members and friends.
Jean was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from South High School and The College of St. Mary. Jean taught 2nd grade at St. Patrick Catholic Church School. After brief moves to Arizona and Kansas, Jean and Don moved back to Omaha in 1968 to raise their family.
Jean’s passion, priority, and greatest joy in life was her family. She married Don on October 1, 1955. They shared a love story for 64 years before Don’s passing. Jean and Don were the best of friends, laughing together through life’s peaks, and supporting each other through life’s valleys. They loved spending time together with frequent trips to Wendy’s Restaurant and watching baseball (St. Louis Cardinals) and Husker football. She was a devoted and multi-talented homemaker who provided a supportive and nurturing environment for her husband, children, and grandchildren and many welcomed visitors. Her attention to detail, and superior ability to organize was relied on by her family whether she was keeping them on schedule, helping Don with one of his workshops, or typing a paper that one of her children sprung on her at the last minute. She never missed a youth sporting event, graduation, wedding, or event of any kind that her children or grandchildren were involved with. Jean made the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet! She was an amazing listener who always took the time to hear what you had to say and then did whatever she could to help. Jean shared her incredible gifts of kindness, generosity, selflessness, and humility on a daily basis, often quietly behind the scenes.
Private MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Interment: Calvary Cemetery. Please feel free to share a story about Jean with the family at www.heafeyheafey.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the NU Foundation and UNO Scholarship Fund (01108310), 1010 Lincoln Mall Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508. Please include a notation that says: Dr. Donald and Jeanette Grandgenett Scholarship Fund. (However, Jean would say a donation is certainly not necessary, and a prayer would be just as good.)
The Mass will be viewable on Monday after 3pm on the mortuary website, www.heafeyheafey.com.
8 Comments
Sorry to hear about Aunt Jean’s passing. Not sure you could find a nicer person on planet Earth. R2 and Felica.
Don called Jean the wind beneath his wings. It always seemed that was so true, not only for Don but for you, her beloved family. She is now and will always be with you because love like never dies. Nancy and I are praying for you and yours. Our hearts are with you. Love
Don called Jean the wind beneath his wings. It always seemed that was so true, not only for Don but for you, her beloved family. She is now and will always be with you because love never dies. Our hearts are with you. Love
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Don called Jean the wind beneath his wings. It always seemed that Jean was the wind beneath your family’s wings for you, her beloved family. She is now and will always be with you because love never dies. Nancy and I are praying for you and yours. Our hearts are with you. Love
Sending thoughts and prayers to the entire Grandgenett family.
We are so very sorry for the loss of Mrs. Grandgenett. Dr. and Mrs. Grandgenett were two of the most thoughtful and giving individuals we have ever had the honor of knowing. Mrs. Grandgenett always had a smile and kind words for others. Her pride in her family was front and center. Dr. and Mrs. Grandgenett’s legacy of kindness and goodness will continue through their wonderful children and grandchildren.
To Mike, Reed, Suzie, Neal and the rest of the Grandgenett family: I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She really was such a kind, soft-spoken, gentle soul. In all the years growing up with Mike I never heard her raise her voice once, and we did some pretty stupid things! Jean was so supportive in all of your endeavors. A great mom in every sense of the word. She also made the best ham, cheese, and lettuce sandwiches on the planet! I always looked forward to eating lunch with all you. I am blessed to have known her and your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Love, Chris & Gail
Reed and all the family,
I’m sorry I am out of town and cannot attend Jeanette’s funeral. To be surrounded by a loving family at the point of death is a blessing as she is now surrounded by the Grace and Love of God. Know of my prayers.
Fr. Tom Bauwens
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