Jeannette Marie (Andre) Brown, 66 of Irene, SD, died January 21, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family following a brief illness. Her final days were spent surrounded in love with her husband, children, grandchildren, and brothers & sisters.
She was born in Viborg, SD on May 15, 1952 to Ralph and Iona (Johnson) Andre. Jeannette grew up on the family farm, rural Wakonda, SD and attended Ireland Country School. She graduated from Centerville High School and Southeast Technical Institute. She married Leroy Eugene Brown on March 20, 1971 in Vermillion, SD where Scott, Tena, and Mike were born and later moved to rural Wakonda/Irene area where Michelle joined the family and they raised their 4 children.
Jeannette enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, rides along the country side, quilting, cooking & baking, raising a variety of farm animals, and visits from her children and grandchildren. She was known for her beautiful spirit, kindness, love of laughter & music, and most importantly dedication to her family. During her last 23 years, Jeannette was blessed to experience her twelve grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren, whom she considered to be the ultimate joy of her life.
A member of Spring Valley Lutheran Church in rural Viborg, SD, Jeannette served as a WELCA member and on the quilting committee. Jeannette was also an active member of the Beresford VFW.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Leroy, of 47 years, of Irene, SD; son, Scott Brown, of Hurley, SD; daughter, Tena (Marlin) Johansen, of Viborg, SD; son, Michael (Nicolle) Brown, of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Michelle (Jeremy) Jensen, of Tea, SD; grandchildren, Allen (Amber) Johansen, Logan (Connor) Brown, Nathan Johansen, Katelynn Johansen, Cameron Jensen, Brayden Jensen, Elise Brown, Alexandria Brown, Karsten Brown, Isabella Jensen, Madison Brown, and Macy Brown; step-grandchildren, Sidney Berreth, Flannery Berreth, and Trevor Berreth; siblings, Danny (Kathy) Andre, Beresford, SD; Dave (Carla) Andre, Denver, CO; Terry (Diane) Andre, Black River Falls, WI; John Andre, Waterloo, IA; Jeannee (Russell) Anderson, Gettysburg, SD; Sherry (Scott) Bachtell, Viborg, SD; in-laws, Larry (Sharon) Brown, Ella Gray, Evelyn (Bob) Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeannette was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, mother and fathers-in-law, sisters-in-law Suzanne Andre, Laura Gallop, Audrey Falk, Gladys Rasmussen, and Betty Bye, brothers-in-law Walter Brown, Melvin Gray, and infant Lonnie Gray, and infant nephew David Anderson.