Jeanette Yankers McNamara, 44

Jeanette Yankers McNamara died at her home in Whitefish on Dec. 28, 2009. Jeanette was born on Jan. 5, 1965, in Pressath, Bavaria, Germany, to Johanna Lore and Bill Yankers, and was the oldest of their three children. She graduated from the Elly Heuss Acadamie in 1984 and worked for the U.S. Army at the Grafenwoehr Training Center as chief of the pay section. It was there that she met the love of her life, Capt. Mike McNamara, and they were married at the KlosterKirche in Speinhshart, Germany, on Sept. 17, 1988. Their marriage was blessed with three loving children, Jamie, Christopher and Shannon. Jeanette, Mike and the kids traveled extensively, visiting Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Poland, Romania and all of Western Europe. Her sense of adventure and zest for life made these travels wonderful memories for them both. Jeanette was the core of the family, caring for everyone, especially during her husband s often extended deployments. She loved raising their children. When the family retired from the Army in 2006, they moved to Whitefish. Jeanette loved the forests and woodlands which reminded her so much of the Bavarian countryside of her youth. She especially treasured her woods behind the family home, her wildflowers and the lovely morels which she considered God s gift to her family. Jeanette passionately enjoyed observing wildlife in Glacier National Park, especially the bears and moose. She also enjoyed their many family adventures, like camel safaris, diving in the Keys, and camping in Ireland and anywhere in the beautiful Montana backcountry. She volunteered at various community activities, especially the Whitefish Figure Skating Club, where she spent many happy hours on the ice with her daughter Shannon. Jeanette is survived by her husband, Mike, and her three children at the family home in Whitefish, as well as her mother and her brother, Oliver, and sister, Melanie, in Germany. Her wonderful life, though far too brief, leaves lasting memories of love, of family and kindness to all, which will live in our hearts forever. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Whitefish, with a reception to follow in the Parish Life Center. Friends may call at Austin Funeral Home beginning at 3 p.m. Friday; a parish vigil and rosary will follow at 7 p.m. Friday. An additional celebration of her life will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at the Whitefish United Methodist Church.