Sally Jennett

Sally Ann Jennett died peacefully at Methodist Manor on Monday, June 16, 2025. At the age of 93, she no doubt walked briskly with clear vision into the arms of God.

Funeral services will take place Monday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 22, from 5-7 p.m. with a Time of Sharing at 7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Sally Powell was born in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., to Sally (Houlihan) and William Powell on Feb. 21, 1932. She was the second oldest of 11 children. At an early age, Sally was often responsible for the caretaking of her younger siblings while her parents worked. She graduated from Meyers High School in 1949, and began training to become a nursing assistant, furthering her caretaking skills. 

While working as a CNA in a skilled care center, a handsome young salesman from Iowa walked through the front door asking to speak to the director. Sparks flew and months later, Russell Jennett proposed to Sally Powell and she said yes. They married on Sept. 27, 1952, and moved to Schaller to start their lives together. Sally was 20 years old and had never been to Iowa, but despite the slim odds predicted for their “mixed marriage” — she was Irish Catholic and he a Methodist — they were in love, and neither was afraid of hard work. 

Sally, known for endless energy and being busy, set to work creating a home and family for them, where her caretaking grew to an elite level. Four little boys quickly arrived in the first five years, followed by four more children that would arrive over the course of 20 years. The family moved to Early and Sally was active in her community as a Girl Scout leader, a member and officer of the Catholic Church Guild and Early Women’s Club, as a hospice volunteer, and a helping hand in almost every community event or fundraiser. She sewed costumes, made a million pans of scotcheroos, fed hundreds of school teams, and did all of this while raising her children and supporting her husband in his work. 

Later, with her children grown, Sally began her career as a paraeducator in special needs classrooms, first in the Sac Community School District, and later in the Storm Lake Community School District. Her patience and determination in advocating for her students made her a valuable partner to the classroom teachers. She finally retired at age 80. 

Sally’s caretaking roles included arguably her favorite title — grandma. New babies were snuggled and serenaded, bounced and patted — she had the magic touch. She and Russ loved spending time with their grandchildren and dusted off their bleacher seats to cheer them on in their various activities. Sally was known for bringing treats for the whole team to ensure no one left hungry. Family holidays were events with great food, sparkling seasonal decorations and surprise presents that she had hunted for at auctions or garage sales, saved for by tucking away money in her freezer, or creating herself on her sewing machine. 

After Russ’ death in 1996, Sally moved to Storm Lake in 2001 and started her life in a new way — making new friends, attending a new church, and creating a new community. After losing her vision and drivers license to macular degeneration, she became Storm Lake Taxi’s best customer and knew every driver and their entire life story. When she moved to Methodist Manor, she quickly became a favorite of the nurses and staff, zipping around with her walker and making friends. She was a woman of deep faith, attending mass, receiving communion and routinely saying multiple rosaries a day for her children, grandchildren and anyone else who made her prayer list. 

Preceding her in death was her beloved Russ; her son Russell Mark; her parents; four siblings; several brothers- and sisters-in-law; and two great-granddaughters. 

Left to celebrate her memory are her surviving children: David and Denise Jennett, Steve and Shirley Jennett, Bill and Kay Jennett, Sara Jennett, John and Cally Jennett, Ann and Mike Appleseth, and Adam and Ali Jennett; along with 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Sally will be fondly remembered by her surviving siblings and their families: Patricia McKeown, John Powell, Myrna and Joe O’Brien, Jane and John Sileski, Gretchen Norton, and Richard Powell; and her sisters-in-law, Margie Jennett and Barbara Jennett; along with many nieces, nephews, friends and community members. 

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be directed to the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Mary Jo Dellwo Nursing Scholarship, to benefit caretakers in the nursing profession seeking to advance their careers.