Jeanine E. Andersen

Jeanine E. Andersen, of Preston, IA, passed away Thursday, April 25, at her home in Preston. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 29, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Preston. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery. A celebration of Jeanine’s life will be held after services at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, at the Preston Town Hall.

Jeanine was born on July 15, 1939, in Bryant, IA, daughter of Armin and Erna (Eickert) Christensen. Jeanine grew up in Bryant and attended Goose Lake schools, graduating from Goose Lake High School with the Class of 1957. On June 27, 1959, Jeanine married her high school sweetheart, Dean Andersen, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and cherished memories. Together they raised three children and celebrated 55 years of marriage until Dean’s passing in 2014.

In the 1960s Jeanine and Dean moved to the old Andersen house in Preston, which had been in the family for many years. Jeanine began her professional journey as a social services worker before dedicating 25 years of her life to Preston Mutual Insurance, where she served as a dedicated secretary. She was a mom who never asked for much and would go without so her kids never missed out. She cheered them on at all their games and performances, never skipping one.

Jeanine could be a little superstitious, never allowing shoes on the table and always entering and exiting through the same door. In her younger years, Jeanine enjoyed golfing with her husband. She enjoyed bowling leagues with Dean and the girls for many years. Her daily visits to the Downtown Pub and Roy's Hideaway for card games or happy hour were a cherished part of her routine. Jeanine's husband, Dean, affectionately called her "Sugar Bear," and eventually everybody called her that. Together they were inseparable companions, enjoying family vacations to Minnesota, cruises with life-long friends and anywhere her and Dean would adventure. In recent years, Jeanine faced the challenge of dementia with courage and grace, supported by her loving family every step of the way.

Jeanine will be dearly missed by her daughter, Sheryl (Brian) Ganzer of Preston, IA; two sons, Neal (Amy) Andersen of Bettendorf, IA, and Michael (Christa) Andersen of Bettendorf, IA; five grandchildren, Benjamin (Amanda) Sullivan, Brandy (Dwayne) Howell, Tayler Andersen, Jadie (Joseph) Andersen, and Nathan Andersen; two step-grandsons, Mitchell (Lauren) Ganzer and Joe (Nora) Wenzel; and seven great-grandchildren, Hailey, Bailey, Wyatt, Caleb, Quinn, Myles, and Amelia; three step-great granddaughters, Josefine, Elizabeth and Charlotte. Jeanine is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, and her parents, Armin and Erna.