Jeannine Carolyn Eisenach

Jeannine Carolyn (Wicke) Licht Eisenach

Sept. 27, 1930 - Dec. 21, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. — Jeannine Carolyn (Wicke) Licht Eisenach of McCook passed away Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at El Dorado Manor in Trenton, Neb. She was 88 years old.

Jeannine was born on Sept. 27, 1930, to Ernest and Edith (Wimer) Wicke at home on a farm south of Wauneta, Neb. They family moved to a farm north of Ludell, Kan., when Jeannine was a baby. She was eldest of five children growing up during the Depression when dust storms, rationing, and living a frugal life was the norm. She attended parochial school during her seventh and eighth grade years and graduated from Atwood High School with the Class of 1948. She furthered her education at Barnes Business College in Denver, Colo. Returning home in 1949, Jeannine started planning her wedding to Bernhard “Ben” Otto Licht. They were united in marriage at the Trinity Lutheran Church North of Ludell. Ben took his bride to a rented farm house near Ludell with no electricity or running water. In 1951, the couple moved to a farm near Palisade.

In 1952, the couple took an extended trip to California, El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Upon their trip home Jeannine experienced severe abdominal pain and eventually lost motor skills in her legs and was diagnosed with infantile paralysis. She was kept in isolation in the McCook Hospital and later transferred to Colorado General Hospital in Denver. She remained there until her quarantine was lifted. After surgery of two muscle transplants she was ready to come home but life would never be the same for her. Jeannine was no stranger to challenges and met all of them with grace, strength and perseverance. To Jeannine the most important thing in history that affected her was the miracle of a vaccine developed by Jonas Sulk for polio in 1955.

Jeannine never let her affliction hinder her. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, LWML where she served as Zone President and historian, church organist for 38 years, and Sunday School superintendent, and Aid Association for Lutheran’s officer. She became actively involved as a 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader and den mother in Boy Scouts when her children were young. She was actively involved in community organizations and an extension club. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and working crossword puzzles.

After her husband, Ben, passed away in 1984, Jeannine went back to school. She attended McCook Junior College through satellite classes at first and then on campus as a non-traditional student, earning 72 hours of college credits in travel agency and legal secretary. In 1991, she became an independent skin care consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. On Feb. 14, 1998, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Eisenach. They made their home in McCook.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Ernest and Edith Wicke; husband, Ben Licht; sister, Delores Searls; and brother, Dallas Wicke.

Survivors include her husband, Bob Eisenach of McCook and his children, Mary Beth Roschewski of McCook, Tom (Patty) Eisenach of McCook, Allen Eisenach of Culbertson and Eisenach grandchildren and great-grandchildren; son, Bruce Licht and wife, Lana, of Palisade; daughter, Connie Jo Scott of Lincoln; grandchildren, Bradley Johnathon Licht and Briana Jean Licht both of Omaha; brother, Ernest Wicke and wife, Wilda, of Ludell; sister, Kathy and husband, Darrel Humble, of Woodland, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to District LWML, KNGN Christian Radio or St. John’s Lutheran Church of Culbertson.

Friends may go online at www.herrmannfh.com to extend condolences to the family.

A memorial service will be Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson with Pastor Bradley Rick officiating. A private family inurnment will be in the Palisade Cemetery.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.