Betty Ruth Jenista

Betty Ruth Jenista Racine - Betty Ruth (nee: Peters) Jenista, 91, passed away at Hospice Alliance-Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. She was born December 11, 1922 in Racine to Elmer and Alma (nee: Rink) Peters. Betty was united in marriage to the late Eugene ‘Gene’ Jenista on August 24, 1946 at Holy Communion Lutheran Church where she had been baptized and confirmed. She remained a longtime, faithful and dedicated member of Holy Communion. Betty was a graduate of Washington Park High School “class of 1941.” She worked as a nurse at Racine’s St. Luke’s Hospital and retired in 1982 after over 24 years of loyal nursing service to the hospital and community. During World War II, Betty volunteered and believed it to be her great honor to serve in the United States Navy. Stationed out of San Diego, California, she provided medical care for multitudes of sick and wounded servicemen. Betty, along with her late husband Eugene, were lifetime charter members of the Fifth Street Yacht Club and members of antique car clubs. Always the helping, caring nurse, Betty donated many thousands of hours serving others through her work with Respite, shut-in visitation, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran World Relief, and the homeless shelter church project. With her great love of and appreciation for the military, Betty donated her expertly restored World War II Jeep Willy to the Racine VFW, restored with loving care by Eugene, with Betty’s support and help. Betty is survived by her two daughters Kathleen (Doug) Evers of Rhinelander and Linda (Jeff) Smith of Horseshoe Bend, AR, one son, Daniel (Pam) Jenista of Racine; eight grandchildren, Chuck, Angie, Ryan, Eric, Wendy, Melissa, Lisa, and Heidi, 13 great grandchildren and many other dear and close family members and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents, three sisters, Virginia, Bernice, Charlene, and one brother Harold, her son David, granddaughter, Sherri, and great-granddaughter, Asia. Funeral services will be held at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 West 6th Street, on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Mark Doidge officiating. Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband, with full military honors at West Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Holy Communion Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

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Betty Ruth Jenista

December 11, 1922 - December 10, 2014