Jeanette Puent

Jeanette Agnes (Hoffman) Puent, age 97, of La Crosse, WI, died Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Bethany St. Joseph Nursing Home.

Jeanette was born March 12, 1926, in Oakdale, WI, the daughter of Melvin and Agnes (Garske) Hoffman. She grew up on a small dairy farm, and attended Indian Creek School. She graduated from Tomah High School, and La Crosse Teachers College. Jeanette returned to Indian Creek where she was a teacher for 2 years. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Eugene Puent, a Marine who had returned from serving in WWII, on June 16, 1948. The couple raised 10 sons. They lived in La Crosse for a short period of time, before moving out to the country near Barre Mills. She drove a school van for special needs children for 25 years. She enjoyed home photography of her grandchildren and nature, as well as many special trips after her husband retired. Jeanette was a devout Catholic, and faithful member of St. Teresa of Kolkata. She was a loving mother who loved her sons and encouraged them all to pursue their dreams in life.

She is survived by her sons: Robert, Jr (Sally) of Ringle, WI, Edward (Rebecca) of Ettrick, WI, Stephen (Karen) of Casa Grande, AZ, Gerald (Nancy) of Bangor, WI, Daniel of Bangor, Douglas (Cindy) of La Crosse, Thomas of Germany, Dennis of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren: Brian, Kevin, Jason, Jessica, Justin, Matthew, Neal, Holly, Samantha, Tyler, Aaron, Benjamin, James, Katherine, Ashley, Wyatt, Whitney, Nancy Jo, Ryan, Kaylie, Amelia, Hannah, and Dylan; great-grandchildren: Damien, Griffin, Everett, Addison, Aubrey, Emmett, Clayton, Elsie, Mikenzie, Logan, Jared, Kekoa, Dylan, Hailey, Juliette, Evangeline, Henry, Elias, Josie, and Charlie; daughter-in-law: Kristina of La Crosse; sister: Marian (Ken) Belcher of Oakdale; and brother-in-law: Greg Puent of Camp Douglas, WI; many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons: Michael and Albert; daughter-in-law: Susan; siblings: Kenneth, LeRoy, and Bernard Hoffman. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Teresa of Kolkata in West Salem, WI. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse.