Jeanette Leinaala Scharenbroch was born on July 23, 1937 on the tropical island of Molokai, Hawaii, where she was raised by her parents, Matthew and Irene Spencer, alongside her brother Fred and sister Emma.  After graduating high school, at the young age of 18 she made a leap of faith and had the courage to follow her friends to the main land.  She attended college in Wisconsin and soon met her future husband, Florian.  After their wedding, they moved to Illinois to begin their family.  A few years later this young island girl found herself in landlocked Indiana married with 6 children.  Jeanette's faith and courage would soon be tested when her husband, Florian passed away unexpectantly after 12 years of marriage.  Despite the culture shock, she remained in Indiana to raise her six children under the age of 13 all on her own.  With strength you don't often see, she provided for her children, found work and spent a majority of her career with Indiana Bell in various communication positions.  After 20+yrs with Indiana Bell, she retired and celebrated her hard work by visiting her sweet Molokai home.  Jeanette spent many years volunteering, some of which included, Pan Am Games, church functions and Indianapolis Zoo Butterfly exhibit to name a few.  This was a great opportunity for her to do what she loved….talk story!  If you were blessed to have met her, you know what we mean….she knew no strangers and had many friends.  Jeanette had a gift for all things nature and loved working in her garden and tending to her beautiful flowers.  She was so giving of her talents, time and love.  Whether you were fortunate enough to receive something she canned for you, hear a story or even get a coupon you knew it was given with much love.  Jeanette and her daughters danced hula together for many years and she remained an active member of the Indy Hawaiian club.  She was very proud of being Hawaiian and shared her passion with everyone.  Even in her golden years she still enjoyed spending time with her longtime friends.  Her Aloha spirit was contagious, and it is that core strength that helped her with many challenges in her life.  Her eyes lit up when talking about her grandchildren and great grandchilden and she found so much joy and happiness spending time with them.

Jeanette lived life to the fullest and she was a servant to her God and her family.  Even when struggling with her own challenges she always found time to brighten someone's day!  She was honest, funny, and loved a good joke.  Her strength and faith only grew stronger despite the loss she experienced and the medical challenges she faced.  Above all, she gave and gave, putting others happiness before her own and she was a fighter to the end.  Jeanette was released from pain and lifted into heaven on February 21, 2020.  She will be forever missed.  A hui hou….until we meet again.

Jeanette's legacy will live on as she is survived by her 6 children, Catherine (Kevin) Kelly, Barbara (Tim) Lawless, Greg (Michelle) Scharenbroch, Gary (Dorothy) Scharenbroch, Mary Ann Scharenbroch and Linda (Chris) Scharenbroch-Rascoe; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Florian, her parents and her sister.  Mahalo to all the medical staff, friends and neighbors who supported our mom and her family throughout her journey.  Much Aloha!