Jeanette J. “Jenny”Gallagher, 89, of Burlington died Friday, July 21, 2023 at Oakview Nursing and Rehab in Burlington.
Born April 22, 1934 on a farm near Bonaparte, she was the daughter of LeRoy O. and Thelma P. Weller Schmidt.
On Oct. 13, 1956 she married Raymond John Gallagher in Burlington. They shared 44 years of marriage until his death on Nov. 22, 2000.
During Jenny’s childhood she spent most of her time outdoors helping work on the family farm. While in 4th grade, her family moved to a farm near Stockport. She was active in both Girls and Boys 4-H, showing Black Angus cattle at the Van Buren County Fair. She played 6 on 6 basketball and graduated from Stockport High School in 1952.
After graduation she attended American Institute of Commerce (AIC) Business School in Davenport. While there she played 5 on 5 amateur (AAU) basketball, traveling by car throughout the central and eastern United States.
Jenny moved to Burlington in 1953 and worked for McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. In 1957 she worked for Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Co., Inc. at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. She was employed there in 1964 with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In 1974 she transferred to the Burlington Social Security Administration (SSA) office. In 1987 she transferred to the Department of the Army in Middletown where she worked until retirement in 1993 with over 29 years of government employment.
Jenny was a former Cub Scout den mother and den leader coach, past member of National Secretaries’ Association, Business & Professional Women’s Club and served on the Des Moines County Humane Society board. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), and did volunteer work for the Des Moines County American Red Cross and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
For many years Jenny was a certified All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Instructor for the ATV Safety Institute where she taught the ATV Rider Course in Fairfield and at other sites in the Midwest. She also worked part time for Zaiser’s Florist in Burlington where she watered and cared for plants inside Great River Medical Center (GRMC) in West Burlington. Many called her “the Plant Lady”.
Jenny loved collecting and reading cookbooks and was always trying new recipes for her family and friends. For many years she baked and decorated wedding and birthday cakes. She enjoyed volunteer work, helping people, working outdoors and was an avid animal lover, especially caring for her dog and cats, watching wildlife and feeding birds. Her greatest love was helping and spending time with family at home and at family gatherings. She especially enjoyed shopping trips with her grandchildren.
Survivors include one son, Michael Ray (Sheila) Gallagher of Burlington; two grandchildren Morgan Ray Gallagher and Melissa Jeanette (Rob) Stanton; two step-grandchildren Sarah (Matt) Emmett, parents of Clayton, Mady, Jackson and Lincoln, Sonya Bryant, mother of Anthony, Olivia and Takumi; one brother, LeRoy “Duke” (Cid) Schmidt Jr. of Fairfield and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and one infant brother.
The funeral service for Jenny will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 26 at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Dan Fernandez officiating. Interment will follow in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 at Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.