Jeanette Katherine Holmes

Jeanette Katherine Holmes, age 88 of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Sunnybrook Living Care Center.

Visitation for family and friends will be 5:00 pm -7:00 pm, Friday, December 18, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Fairfield, IA with a Wake Service following the visitation.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30, Saturday, December 19, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Nick Adam officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Fairfield Education Foundation. Cards and memorials can be mailed to: Julie Hanshaw, 501 E. Briggs, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Jeanette was born April 17, 1927 to William “Bill” and Cecelia (Sanders) Hellman in Houghton, Iowa. She married Charles Melvin Holmes June 24, 1947 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, IA. They were married 50 years before he passed away January 18, 1997.

Jeanette’s passions were her faith, family and attending mass. She loved preparing home cooked meals for all those who visited, no matter what the hour. Freshly baked cookies and cakes were always available to children and grandchildren. Jeanette loved her flower gardens and sewed many quilts for her treasured family. Christmas was always a special time of year for Jeanette, buying a special gift for each family member. She volunteered at the Jefferson County Hospital Gift Shop, the Bargain Box, and Fairfield Schools. She faithfully served her church, such as organizing funeral dinners and distributing communion to shut-ins. Jeanette was an avid reader and would lure in any family member to help put together a puzzle.

Jeanette will be remembered for her quick wit, sense of humor, and her devotion to her family and friends.

Jeanette is survived by 11 children and one daughter-in-law, Charles (Marilyn) Holmes of Ft. Madison, IA, Tom (Marilyn) Holmes of Cedar Rapids, IA, daughter-in-law, Jill Holmes of Iowa City, IA, Jeanne (Joe) Hartman of Swisher, IA, Larry (Michele) of St. Louis, MO, Mike (Kelly) Holmes of Plainfield, IL, Julie (Greg) Hanshaw of Fairfield, IA, John Holmes of Fairfield, IA, Jacquie (Doug) Greenfield of Palo, IA, Jennifer (Bob) Byrnes of Fairfield, IA, Joni (Steve) Rizzio of Center Point, IA and Scott (Heidi) Holmes of Marion, IA; 51 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one brother, Merlin (Teresa) Hellman of Fort Madison, IA; one sister-in-law, Eileen Hellman of Houghton, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Cecelia Hellman; her husband, Charles M. Holmes; two sons, Dan and Marty Holmes; one brother Marvin Hellman; and one sister, Janice Thomas.

Following the Visitation