Jeannette A. Burnight

Jeannette Ann (nee Staszewsky) Burnight of Sioux City died on Friday, March 8, 2024 at the age of 97. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel with Reverend Kristine Stedje of First Lutheran Church officiating.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.   Visitation, with the family present, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, prior to the service at the funeral home.   Memorials may be directed to the Holy Family Food Pantry at First Lutheran Church, Sioux City, Iowa.   Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Jeannette was born on September 15, 1926, the daughter of Louis F. and Mina (Mary Michalosky) Staszewsky. She attended Sioux City Public Schools and graduated from East High School in 1944. It was at East High that she met the love of her life, Raymond Burnight, he a standout football player and she an enthusiastic cheerleader. Separated during his service in the South Pacific Theater during World War II, Jeannette worked at Western Union typing telegrams. Ray and Jeannette were married at First Lutheran Church in Sioux City on November 29, 1947.

Jeannette’s many interests and volunteer activities kept her always on the go. A member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux City, she was a Sunday School and Bible School teacher and served faithfully on the Altar Guild for many years. She served as den mother for her both her sons’ Boy Scout troops for several years, and raised two Eagle Scouts. She was an accomplished artist and poet. A skilled cook and homemaker, she always had a craft project underway and her holiday dinner tables were a work of art. No one ever left her house hungry. She enjoyed golf and bowling, playing on several local leagues and collected many trophies. 

In addition to her many other activities, Jeannette held several positions outside the home. Over the years she worked at Sears, Linda Lee’s, Williges clothing store, and also at State Finance Company, where she put her bookkeeping skills to good use.

She was a long-time member of the Eastern Star (receiving her 50-year pin). Some of her fondest memories were those she created marching and traveling with her friends in the Daughters of the Nile, for which she served as Supreme Queen of Hathor Temple in 1987 and 1988. She was a member of Iota Delphian study group, the Girls of 44, and a long-time PEO member.

Jeannette loved to dance and never wanted to miss an episode of Dancing with the Stars. She and Ray belonged to a dance club for several years. She was an active member of the Happy Hoofers tap dancing troupe, and loved to perform at local athletic half time shows and dance contests until her late eighties. 

Jeannette loved to travel, particularly cruising. Avid boaters, she and Ray were members of the Missouri River Boat Club from its inception. With friends and family, they sailed the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers from Chamberlain, S.D. to New Orleans on the “Jeannie,” their boat named for her.

She is survived by two sons, Randall L. (Deb) Burnight of Sioux City and Richard J. (Jan) Burnight of Austin, TX; four grandchildren, Erin Rae Burnight of Coralville, IA, Kara Morain Burnight (Zach) Lafferty of Gretna, NE., Adam Craig Burnight (Tricia) of Bentonville, AR, and Kendra Mary Burnight of Austin, TX; six great-grandchildren, Evan, Kennedy and Brooks Lafferty, and Bates, Walker and John Burnight; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She will be missed dearly by all.

Jeannette was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her two sisters Eleanor and Francis, and an infant granddaughter, Anneliese Burnight.