Jeannette Lee Sturn

Obituary Jeannette Lee Sturn Jeannette was born in the fall of 1925 to Russian/Ukrainian parents, John and Titiana Machnicki. She was the fourth child in a family of 12 who struggled to survive the bitter cold winters and stiflingly hot summers is Snow, North Dakota. The terrain was unforgiving and life was hard, so much so that five of the children died during their childhood. Poverty and hard life were large contributors to their demise, but this molded Jeannette and her siblings into the amazing people they came to be. She earned a teacher's certification in Dickinson, North Dakota and taught all eight grades in a one room school house in Lefor, ND. That is where she met Leo Reindel, who married "the School Marm". In 1948 they had a daughter, Lee, and chose to start a fresh life in Tacoma where their son, Bill, was born. Leo was a loving, doting father and husband, but due to ill health, passed away in 1960. Jeannette held multiple jobs to support her family, including teaching 3rd and 4th grades at St. Ann's Catholic Church, waitressing, and catering. She even purchased a couple of homes, repairing and maintaining them for rentals. She did this all by herself. While living in her home, she met a young couple, Steve and Sharry Zamberlin, who introduced their father to her, Ralph Sturn, resulting in their marriage in 1975. Sharing similar backgrounds and interests, they experienced many years of happiness during their second stage of life. They were even named Eagle Family of the Month for September 1987 by Eagles Aerie #3 in Tacoma. They made a great team and their families are grateful for the joy and comfort they found in each other. After Ralph's passing, Jeannette immersed herself even more deeply into volunteering. She could be seen at almost any Catholic church, serving coffee, placing flowers on the altar, assembling packages for the missions and the local poor, attending Mass and praying the Rosary. She was a very devout, practicing Catholic with a life dedicated to others, but her sense of humor and wit is what first comes to mind when describing her. Jeannette was especially happy when sharing coffee along with her special homemade desserts with friends and family. She is probably best known for her 50 years of membership in the Eagles Aerie #3 in Tacoma, where she held numerous offices and received untold certificates of appreciation and accolades, including being named "Mrs. Eagle". This was her "second home" and she loved not only her fellow members, but the customers as well. Jeannette was also active in the Knights of Columbus, The Laborers Union, Visitation YLI, Elks, CCC and Safe Streets (as Block Watch Captain), and the American Literacy Program. She was a doting mother and grandmother, loyal friend, welcoming neighbor, community volunteer, and devout Catholic who spent every day of life thinking about what she could do for others. Her kindness, generosity and love will live in our hearts forever. She leaves behind her sisters, Mary Krogh, and Phyllis Henricksen; brother, Mike Machnicki (Dee); daughter, Lee Herberholz (Ross); son, Bill Reindel (Peggy); step daughter, Sharry (Steve) Zamberlin; and step son, Vern Sturn (Elynn). There are also many grandchildren and great-grandchildren (too many to list) who will greatly miss Jeannette. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 from 2-4:30pm at the Eagles Aerie #3, 4810 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98408. Private family interment at Calvary Cemetery. The family suggests donations be made to the Eagles Aerie #3 Auxiliary at 4810 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98408. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.