Jeanette Ann (Copenhaver) Woodworth, 92, formerly of Dickinson, died Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer with family at her side.
On April 9, 1931, Jeanette Ann Copenhaver was born to Harry and Ethel (Selensky) Copenhaver in Omaha, Nebraska. Jeanette was their second daughter; Mary Geraldine was her big sister. Jeanette would become our wonderful mom.
The Copenhaver family later moved to Plainfield, Iowa, to join Ethel’s mother, Ella Selensky, on the family farm. Mom grew up on that farm attending the local elementary country school. She graduated from Nashua High School where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and part of the homecoming court. It was during those high school years, that Mom met Dad, Wendell H. Woodworth, known to most everyone as Woody. They married on August 2, 1948.
Gregory Ray was the first to join their family in 1949. Patricia Wendette followed in 1951. In 1954, Brent James rounded out our family. Shortly after the birth of Brent, Mom and Dad moved to South Heart, ND, to start Woodworth Honey Company. By 1957, they were ready to relocate to Dickinson, ND, and expand the beekeeping operation.
Our home at 809 Second Avenue West was surrounded by young families. Mom and the other young mothers formed a bond that has lasted all these years. She took part in the Women’s Circle at the First Congregational Church, was den mother for the Cub Scouts, and hosted many 4-H Club meetings. Mom was always there, our rock, always. All the while, the beekeeping business grew. Mom became the “office manager” for the company. Her organizational skills could not be outdone. She held that title until Dad passed away in 2014.
Our family outgrew our little home on Second Avenue, so we moved to 342 8th Street West giving Mom a real office to organize and manage. The bee business grew, too, sending Mom and Dad to Texas to raise queen bees. Mom became the “queen” of grafting tiny eggs into cells for the rearing of queens.
Even after the three of us kids left home to pursue our careers, Mom never tired of making sure she knew where her kids were, what we were doing, what we were in need of. Mom was always there, our rock, always.
After Dad passed away, Mom continued to live in the house at 342 for a couple of years. In 2016, Mom moved to Kalispell, Montana, to live with Pat. Mom and Pat were housemates until 2021. Pat’s home became our gathering place; we all spent many precious times together: Mother’s Day, Mom’s birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and for no other reason than to see each other. We all were beginning to realize that Mom’s memory was declining and felt it was best for her to move to a care facility. With Mom’s input, we chose Legacy Lodge in Killdeer, North Dakota, close to Brent and Bonnie, and within miles of “home”, Dickinson.
Legacy Lodge / Hill Top Care Facility provided excellent care for Mom. Brent and Bonnie visited every day, giving Mom so much love and devotion. The years of Mom’s outpouring of love to her kids came back to her. Mom’s memory continued to decline, perhaps, due to a series of strokes. She was reunited with Dad and her parents and sister on October 26, 9:30 in the morning. What a resounding reunion! Did you happen to hear it?
Mom was preceded in death by her infant granddaughter, husband Woody, sister Mary Geraldine Cagley, son-in-law Jim Morgan, granddaughter Michelle Meehan, and great grandson Jason Meehan. Mom is survived by son Greg (Shelley), daughter Pat (Jim), and son Brent (Bonnie), grandson Dustin (Mandy) Woodworth, granddaughter LeaAnn Fjelstad, great grandson Devin (Kylie) Woodworth, great granddaughter Lindsey Patterson, and great granddaughter Chloe Woodworth Navarro.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring with burial at the Dickinson Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Hill Top Heritage Foundation │ Killdeer ND
In closing, enjoy Mom’s favorite poem:
Treasures
You may have a million dollars.
You may have gold by the tons.
But I am far richer than you –
Unless you have two sons.
You may have worldly treasures
Of rubies, diamonds and pearls.
But I have a far greater treasure —
For I have a daughter with curls.
And though I am poor as a church-mouse
In all things that money can buy,
I have three God-given treasures –
For two sons and a daughter have I.
We love you, Mom. We already miss you. We will see you again.
