Jeanette Marie Silvernale, age 93 of Slayton, passed away on the morning of Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Carriage House Senior Living in Le Center, MN. Jeanette was born outside of Avoca, MN on April 3, 1933, to parents Mathias and Mary (Decker) Ehleringer. Jeanette attended school at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Currie before marrying Sherwood “Sarge” Silvernale on April 26, 1950, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. As a dedicated Air Force spouse for over 26 years, Jeanette navigated the adventures and challenges of military life with grace and bravery while welcoming six children. Her journey took her and her family from postings in Wichita Falls, TX, Tokyo, Japan, Biloxi, MS, San Antonio, TX, Tucson, AZ, Lompoc, CA and lastly Grand Forks, ND. Following Sarge’s retirement from the Air Force on March 1, 1975, they returned to their roots and moved the family back to Currie. Jeanette found herself painting rooms for her brother-in-law’s construction company with her sister-in-law Aljean Ackerman then eventually managed the Currie Municipal Liquor Store for 20+ years until her retirement. In 1995, Jeanette and Sarge began enjoying their full-time retirement in the winter by travelling to warmer weather in Texas. Jeanette continued wintering in Texas after Sarge’s death in 2011 until her final trip in the winter of 2024. Jeanette spent her free time crocheting beautiful doilies and blankets, sewing her children’s clothes, doll clothes and costumes, and painting ceramics. Jeanette was a member of the Catholic Daughters and was also a member of several women’s bowling leagues throughout the military posts. Jeanette spent many mornings at the Ma-Pa Loma Café drinking coffee and playing Pinochle with her friends. Jeanette was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan. Jeanette enjoyed cooking, especially for her family during holidays. She made the most delicious, mashed potatoes and biscuits and gravy but there was nothing better than her famous peanut butter cornflake cookies. Many family reunion silent auction battles have been waged over “Grandma’s Cookies.” The Silvernale family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato, Moments Hospice, and the staff at Carriage House Senior Living for the extraordinary care they provided to Jeanette.
Jeanette is survived by her children, Ronda Silvernale of Waxahachie, TX, Bruce (Debra) Silvernale of Madison Lake, MN, Brenda (Matt) Teter of Big Lake, MN, and Sandy (Richard) Swan of Hadley, MN; grandchildren, Scot (Denise) Sloniker, Gregg (Andrea) Sloniker, Joe (Samantha) Parker, Jeremy (Jess) Parker, Jamie (Jerome) King, Jason (Lindsay) Ruppert, Chris (Ashley) Ruppert, Geoff (Trista) Ruppert, Tiffany (Darrick) Stocker, Megan Silvernale, Kristine Silvernale, Jordon Myers, Jennifer (Matthew) Guettler, and Matt (Jenny) Webb. She was preceded in death by her both of her parents; husband, Sherwood “Sarge” Silvernale, sisters Kathleen Ehleringer and Bernadine Klein; daughters Diane Sloniker and JoAnn Carlson; and son-in-law, Stephen “Steve” Sloniker.
Funeral services will be held at IHM Church in Currie, MN on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating. The organist is Patty LeClairie. The song leader is Matt Kopperud. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.
