Jeanette Garbes

Without a doubt one of the sweetest ladies I have ever cared for at Linn Haven. I will miss our talks. She is now reunited with Raymond. She spoke of him frequently. Love and prayers to her family. Linda Flick.

We are so sorry to hear about Jeanette. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time.

Thoughts and prayers to the Family and Friends..

A Tribute to Grandma (Jeanette) Garbes

I was born when my mother and father were 18 going on 19 years old. My father was in college and my mother worked, I believe in the secretary pool at a local newspaper. On weekends our little family went home to Grandma Garbes’ house. I imagine my young parents relied heavily on their parents and although I have very few memories of my early years I know we spent a lot of time on the Garbes farm. I had an uncle, Ron who was 6 years older than me and as I grew up he became my playmate.

After my parents divorced my mom took my sisters and me to grandmas’ house every other weekend. We spent one weekend at our dad’s and the other with Grandma. I loved those weekends of good food, plenty of laughter and time spent on the farm “helping” grandma. I remember feeding calves, helping to carry milk, riding along on the tractor, picking corn, making hay, feeding chickens and gathering eggs. There was always something to do on the farm and grandma was happy to have the company.

Childhood images are of her washing eggs in the basement, peeling potatoes in the kitchen, collecting eggs in the hen house, welcoming egg customers, jotting down recipes off the open line, baking bread or cookies or pies, and in the evenings playing cards, sitting around the kitchen table laughing and telling stories or watching Hee Haw on TV. The trusty old cuckoo clock marked the hours and grandma would tuck us in at night on a fold out couch in the living room. In the morning we would wake up to eggs and bacon frying in the kitchen and the morning sounds of two farmers who had already milked their cows and taken care of their morning chores by the time sleepy girls stumbled into the kitchen. It was heaven.

Regardless of the storms that raged around us, grandma’s house was a safe haven, a refuge. It was a place we knew without a doubt that we were loved. When our mother left us to follow the man who would become her second husband to Colorado Grandma Garbes became more than a grandma to me. And when our mother died just a few years later, she became the living link to our roots, our family, our heritage.

Here’s the thing about this humble farmer from rural Iowa. She knew how to accept others and she taught us to be kind, hospitable and loving to everyone. She knew what it meant to welcome three lost girls and to create a sanctuary for us. She knew how to be there for us. She was never more than a phone call or a letter away and was always ready to welcome us home with open arms. Grandma Garbes made sure we knew we were loved and that we had somewhere in this world where we belonged. She kept us connected to the family and in some ways I believe her love, consistency and stability saved my life.

Grandma, thank you for all the love. Thank you for being grandmother and mother for me. Thank you for those oft repeated words – there’s always a place for you here. I carry your love with me always.

Your loving granddaughter,
Tisha

I will miss Jeanette, I would come to Linn Haven and play music, and she would sometimes sit by me, and after I played we would talk about our music. Such a wonderful warm talented person she was. She and John Witt (my husband who passed away June 5) would eat at the same table together. We will have pleasant memories of our loved ones. Nancy K Witt