Jeanette (Thornton) Luithly

Jeanette Eileen Catherine Luithly, 91, of Columbus Junction, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospital.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Columbus Junction where the family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Columbus City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church or to the Columbus Junction Senior Center in memory of Jeanette.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Jeanette was born February 4, 1932 in Salem, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph Edward and Marie Della (Klesner) Thornton. She graduated from Morning Sun High School in 1950. Jeanette was united in marriage to Lisle L. “Doc” Luithly on July 2, 1952 at the United Methodist Church in Morning Sun, Iowa. He preceded her in death on October 16, 2004.

Jeanette babysat at her home and worked at the Columbus Community Schools in the cafeteria. She was a waitress at the Coffee House and Harold’s Place in Columbus Junction for over 25 years until retiring in 1994. Jeanette was a member of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church where she worked at funeral dinners, did the Cradle Roll for new babies, and other positions. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Ruth Circle. She also volunteered at the Columbus Junction Congregate Meal Site and was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Jeanette enjoyed genealogy, reading, watching humming birds and old movies, and antiques. She also enjoyed playing cards, especially Canasta, with friends, going out to eat, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities. She was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and watched many of their games.

She will be deeply missed by her son, Douglas Eric (Deborah Kay) Luithly of Loveland, CO.; two daughters, Diane Marie (Mark) Stone of Loveland, CO and Donna Janeen (David) Wittmann of Columbus City; six grandchildren: Preston Steven Stone of Greeley, CO; Nathan Walter William (Mara) Wittmann of Evanston, IL; Laura Burdette Wittmann of North Liberty; Brodrick Michael Wittmann of Columbus Junction; Dylan Luithly of North Platte, NE; and Alex Luithly of Ft. Collins, CO; one great-grandson, August Lisle Wittmann; brother, Larry E. Thornton of Mt. Pleasant; sister, Joann Mallams of Mt. Pleasant; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lisle; infant grandson, Zachariah Kennedy Luithly; brother, Donald Thornton; two sisters-in-law: Beatrice Thornton and Jo Thornton; brother-in-law, Dale Mallams; and several nieces.

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