Janine Nuckolls Birch-East

Janine graduated from Paton-Churdan High School in 1966 and Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, in 1970 where she graduated summa cum laude. After graduating college, she became an art educator in Reinbeck, Lake View and Auburn, Iowa, for two and a half years, before moving to Cleghorn, Iowa, to farm with her husband who was deceased a year later. After her husband David’s death, Janine moved back to her hometown of Paton, Iowa, where she worked for 41 years at Community State Bank until her retirement.

Janine was recently united in marriage, culminating a longtime love story that originally started back in high school to Daryl East. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and Madam Alexander Doll Collectors of America.

Janine was preceded in death by her first husband, David Birch; her parents, Denver and Isabelle Nuckolls; and nephew, Aaron Hoyt. She is survived by her husband, Daryl East; sisters, Janet Sabus and Jennifer (Chuck) Hoyt; sisters-in-law: Donna (Hugh) Weigel, Diana (Rod) Patterson, and Linda East; and special friend, Marlene Kolbe. Janine is also survived by bonus children and grandchildren who she loved; numerous nieces and nephews; the family pet, Hawkeye the dog; other relatives; and friends.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to medical personnel and home care providers who have assisted Janine over the last several years. Special thanks to Rev. Gina Spohnheimer for spiritual support to the family of Janine.

Janine defied medical expectations. Forty years ago, she was burned over 65% of her body in a house explosion and fire. In spite of medical predictions, her determination overcame her handicaps, allowing her to enjoy her artwork, banking career, and world travel. Her artwork was featured in Madam Alexander Conventions and was sought by collectors throughout America.

Her perseverance was admired by all who knew her.

To know her was to love her.

Funeral services were Friday, May 17, 2024, at Salem United Methodist Church in Paton, Iowa, with Rev. Gina Spohnheimer officiating. Interment was at South Marion Cemetery, Stratford, Iowa. The family greeted friends on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Memorials are suggested to the family.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home

515-386-2171