Janette Marian Folkers Underwood

Janette Marian Folkers UnderwoodJanuary 18, 1931 - March 7, 2026Janette Marian Folkers Underwood was born in Elma, Iowa, on January 18, 1931, to Lenora (Kobliska) and Eldon Folkers and died on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Friendship Village Wellspring in Waterloo, Iowa.She attended elementary and high school at St. William Catholic School in Alta Vista, Iowa. Janette continued her post-secondary education at Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa, with a business degree.Despite being born with congenital birth defects of her left hip and foot, Janette was inspired to live each day to the fullest. She worked hard and appreciated the lessons that life taught her to manage resources of time, talent, and treasure.Janette Folkers married Claude Henry Underwood on June 19, 1951, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista. After living in Columbia, S.C., while Claude was in the US Army, they lived and raised their family in Waterloo. Janette and Claude owned the Frosty Freeze on Falls Avenue and enjoyed serving sweet treats "with a cherry on top" in the early 1970's. When grandchildren came along, Janette provided childcare in their home for many years. She cared for other families and became a beloved "bonus" grandma to those children.She was a dedicated Saturday volunteer for over 25 years at the Covenant Hospital Gift Shop. The Community of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church has been her faith family for over 70 years, where she formed many lasting relationships. In addition, she treasured time spent with her friends in the Gayle Street area of Waterloo.The Underwood family consisted of Claude, Janette and their five children, Barbara, Neal, Jay, Julie, and Andrea. They were raised with family values and celebrated many traditions. Through the years, 14 grandchildren were added to the family: Bryan Duggan, Erin Duggan (Bob) Brown, Kelly Underwood, Mindy Underwood (Jay) Gordon, Elizabeth Underwood (Cory Sweerin), Brandon Underwood, Ruby Hayes (Blake) Hibben, Savannah Hayes (Nick) Wiltfang, Isabelle Hayes (Bijan) Bewley, Cooper Hayes (Brianna Birkland), Nicholas Herman, Emery Herman (Eliza Bedig), Lenora Herman (Colton Ellison), and Stuart Herman, as well as 11 great-grandchildren: Tanner Underwood, Patrick Underwood, Brogan and Ellery Brown, Bennett and Maddux Gordon, Hazel and Delta Hibben, Rosalind and Otto Wiltfang, and Palmer Bewley. Year-round gatherings were very important and Janette was grateful for every opportunity to be around her family.Survivors in her beautiful family include daughters, Barbara (Daniel) Duggan and Andrea (Christopher) Herman, all of Waterloo, and Julie (Brian) Hayes of Cedar Falls; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Dennis and Douglas Folkers; and sisters-in-law.Preceding her in death are her husband, Claude Underwood; son, Neal (in infancy); son, Jay; and daughter-in-law, Barbara (Glasgow) Underwood; parents, Eldon and Lenora Folkers; brother, Dean Folkers; sisters, Mary Ann Stepan and Audrey Fries; grandchildren, Nicholas Herman and Kelly Underwood; and multiple in-laws.Visitation will be Wednesday, March 11, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service, 400 South St. in Waterloo. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 12 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 650 Stephan Ave., Waterloo, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation an hour prior. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 650 Stephan Ave., Waterloo, IA 50701.