Date of Birth:
Sunday, January 6, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, June 23, 2025
Age:
96 years old

Jeannine M. Oesterreich

Jeannine Mary McCabe Oesterreich, 96, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday June 23, 2025, in Rochester, MN.

Jeannine was born on January 6, 1929, to Harry and Agnes (Whalen) McCabe in Cresco Iowa. She was the fifth of seven children. She attended Lourdes High School in Rochester. For the past 40 years, she lived in Briny Breezes FL, on the beach. In 1947, Jeannine married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) T. Oesterreich. Together they raised 10 children, providing them with an active, adventurous, fun upbringing. She was a loving wife, caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Jeannine traveled the world, visiting far-flung locations on six continents, always eager to experience new places and cultures. At home, she channeled her creativity into home improvement projects, not afraid to pick up a sledgehammer or repurpose old items into something beautiful. Her home reflected her creative efforts. Jeannine was very independent, she continued driving solo across the country into her 80s, spending her summers in Minnesota attending weddings, graduations, ball games, and dance recitals. Jeannine was a role model for her children, embodying the values of gender and chore equality and sending a clear message that you can be anything you want to be.

Jeannine was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, sons-in-law Bob Fowler and Peyton Jones, and six siblings. She is survived by her children, Mike (Pam) Oesterreich, Jennifer (Bruce) Bjorgum, Andrea Oesterreich, Jerryann Oesterreich (Brian Rock), Todd Oesterreich, Melissa Fowler, Peter (Erica) Oesterreich, Gina Oesterreich, Jon (Kim) Oesterreich, Jeandre (Kevin) Carbone, 28 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

The family gratefully thanks the staff at Samaritan Bethany Homes in Rochester for their exceptional care during the final three weeks of Jeannine’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Living Memorial Fund with the Samaritan Bethany Foundation.

A Celebration of Jeannine’s Life will be held on September 21, 2025.