Jeanette Grace Buenning

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 3:01 PM, Jeanette Grace Ashton Buenning passed away at the age of 85, at her residence in Washington, Utah. Jeanette was born on July 29, 1939, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Charles Ellis Ashton and Dora Grace Osgood Ashton. Jeanette married Hermann Buenning at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, on August 21, 1959, and this past August they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Hermann and Jeanette had three children; Michael Hermann Buenning, Michelle Grace Rodriguez and Suzanne Jeanette Hansen.

Jeanette was raised in Inkom, Idaho, along with her two sisters Loretta Hamilton and RaNae Hammond and her brother Jay Ashton. She graduated from Pocatello High School and later received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Nevada at Reno. Jeanette worked for fifteen years as an elementary school teacher until she retired. At the age of 19, Jeanette won the Miss Idaho Beauty Pageant. She then went on to participate in the 1958 Miss Universe Pageant. Jeanette was an accomplished Mezzo Soprano. She loved to sing and past on that talent to her daughter Suzanne. Jeanette loved to teach and was a fantastic story teller. She would often volunteer her time brightening the life of children reading them books at special events. The joy on her face and in the faces of her grandchildren and great grandchildren as she read them such books as "The Ghost-Eye Tree" and "Apple Juice" were priceless. Jeanette loved her family and her faith. Her love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are unmatched. In July of 2014, Jeanette and Hermann lost their eldest Michael, which nearly crushed them. On the day of her death Michael greeted her as she returned home to her Heavenly Father. 

Jeanette is survived by her husband Hermann, her daughter Michelle and her husband Rolando, Suzanne and her husband Matt, and Michaels’ wife Waisum Buenning. She is also survived by her younger sisters RaNae and Loretta, 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be on Friday, September 06, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel located at 1835 Washington Fields Road, Washington, Utah, 84780. Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery immediately following the service.