Pastor Johnette Grefe

Johnette Whittaker Grefe died Nov. 7, 2024, in Billings Clinic Hospital.

She was the eldest daughter of George and Hazel Wolter Whittaker and was born Aug. 18, 1938. She graduated as salutatorian from Plentywood High School in 1956 and then attended nursing school for a time in Minot, N.D.

She met and married farmer John William Grefe in Plentywood Lutheran Church on March 15, 1958. They lived on the Grefe farm west of Reserve, raising three children, chickens, cattle and crops. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing most of the family’s clothing, including special outfits for Easter and Christmas and even a suit for John. She would pack her trusty Bernina to Plentywood’s hospital and nursing home every few months to do their mending.

Involved with Faith Lutheran Church of Wanso, she played piano and organ. She also provided piano lessons to her three children, neighbor children and some adults as well. She taught Sunday school, helped clean the church, readied food for