Jeanette S. Wilhelm

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 4:44 pm

Jeanette S. Wilhelm, 94, of Surprise Ariz., passed away Nov. 26, 2019, (on her birthday) at Mariposa Point Assisted Living in Surprise, Ariz.

Jeanette Selma Thompson was born Nov. 26, 1925, to the late Benjamin and Amanda (Albertson) Thompson in Winneshiek County. Jeanette married Melvin Wilhelm May 11, 1947, at First Lutheran Church in Cresco. Mel and Jeanette resided in many residences in both Iowa and Minnesota until retiring to Arizona.
Jeanette and her husband Mel had many adventures together. They had a keen sense of business that they used throughout their lives. They initially started with East End Grocery in Decorah, their first business. From that they owned and operated Melody Lounge in West Union and the Friendly Tap in Calmar, before chang-ing to fast food businesses across both Iowa and Minnesota. While Jeanette was busy with all her endeavors, it did not stop her from caring for her family. She was always there for her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

Jeanette is survived by her five children: Dennis of Wittmann, Ariz.; Dale (Rose Mary) of Iowa City.; Rodney of La Crescent, Minn.; LeAnne (Ralph) Moore of Surprise, Ariz.; and Mike (Mary Jo) of Cresco; a sister, Beverly Starkey of Waterloo; and one sister-in-law, Phyllis Thompson of Decorah; long with 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Amanda Thompson; her husband of 61 years, Melvin; her siblings: Einer, Ernie, Melvin, Stanley and Alice Thompson; two sisters-in-law, Lois Mae and Margaret Thompson; two grandchildren, Jared and Louise Wilhelm; and two great-grandchildren, William and Robert Page.

Celebration of Life will be in Iowa in the spring.