Jeanette Williamson

            Jeanette Louise Williamson, 82, of Bay City, was able to receive and visit family before her passing on February 28, 2024, in her home with her son Terry and daughter Lori by her side.

            The daughter of Otto and Theresa (Spens) Mendrick was born on July 27, 1941, in Rogers City.  She was baptized on August 17, 1941, by Pastor Herman Heinecke and confirmed on April 11, 1954, by Pastor Herbert Meyer, and graduated from Rogers City High School in 1957.

            She was a daddy’s girl from day one and with her parents owning Mendrick Sales and Service, she was able to tag along with him and see and do so many things.   Together they wired and put electricity in Millersburg.  She was devoted to her children and loved being a mom.  In her early 40’s she decided to go back to college and start her career.  After continuous years of pre-courses, Jeanette obtained her Bachelor of Nursing in 1988.  She immediately began as an RN for Tawas St. Joseph Hospital and was there for a year before moving along to Charge Nurse at the Provincial House in Tawas.  In 1995 she continued to climb the nursing ladder and accepted a position of Public Health Program Coordinator with the District Health Department #2.  For 6 years she supervised client operations, coordinated and developed programs as well as hired, trained, and evaluated staff.  Additionally, she wrote and prepared grants rewrote and assembled manuals, and provide Direct Nursing Services to the community (immunizations, family planning, and disease control..).  Jeanette was a firm believer in hard work and fortitude, yet loved the open roads.  Her adventurous side led her to own her own motorcycle, and driving a big rig 18 wheeler down many Illinois interstates, and roads.  Her favorite rides however were with her son Terry chauffeuring her to new places like Texas.  She loved the get-up and go, and her kids are happy she passed that trait along.  She had many loves the first being her family.   It was important for her to be at family functions.  She was fortunate to have lifelong friends, Freida, Laura, and Jan among others, that she enjoyed spending time with.  Other loves included gardening and harvesting, crocheting, playing the piano, refurnishing woodwork, and Lake Huron.  Jeanette was a faithful member of Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church of Frankenmuth.

            Surviving are a brother Jerry (Nancy) Mendrick, two sons Terry Wagner, Joe (Vicky) Wagner, and a daughter Lori Burdick; and many nieces and nephews.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, and brother-in-law Dolores and Gordon Merchant.             

            Visitation will be Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moltke from Noon until the 1:00 PM Funeral with Pastor Shawn Fenski Officiating.

Burial will take place in the spring at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent to hentkowskifuneral.com

            Memorials are suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.