Bettie Jeanette Barnes Gunter Tognini, 87, passed away on December 28, 2023, in Denison, Texas, following a long battle with Alzheimers. She was born in Anna, Texas on June 9, 1936, to Martin Tom and Jewel Leon (Mullins) Barnes. She grew up in the Van Alstyne and Whitewright, Texas areas.
She married Hugh Wesley Gunter on December 9, 1952, and this union produced three sons, Hugh Wesley Jr. who died at birth, Tony and Tim. Following the dissolution of their marriage, Jeanette traveled across country alone with her 2 young sons to be near family in Elko, Nevada. She soon caught the eye of Jack Tognini and they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 26, 1966. This union produced one additional son, Todd. Jack and Jeanette were married for just over 50 years before Jack passed away in July of 2016. Jeanette became a tireless homemaker, mother and wife. She also worked outside of the home at the Elko Clinic then the Elko County Library. She enjoyed her volunteer work with the Elko Hospital Auxiliary.
Jeanette loved deer camp and was an avid fisherman. She had many hobbies, loved to sew and paint and became quite skilled at both. She also loved her many home remodeling and room makeover projects. She enjoyed golfing and bowling but probably Jeanette’s most loved activity was when she could cook for her family. She was a great cook and loved to have the entire family over for holiday dinners.
Jack and Jeanette enjoyed traveling, spending many summers touring Canada and the northern states. Once they had both retired they took their 5th wheel and joined friends heading south during the winter taking in the various sites and golf courses in California and Arizona making certain they stopped at every yard and garage sale along the way. They would then spend the last few months of every trip with her family and friends in Texas before heading home to Elko. After Jack passed away, her family kept her traveling by taking her on vacations and trips with them. She very proudly wore her “My 1st time at Disneyland” pin when she visited just after her 84th birthday and didn’t hesitate to hike the trails at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.
A very proud woman, Jeanette was shy and timid in a crowd but danced and sang beautifully when she didn’t think anyone was watching. She was a member of the first Presbyterian Church of Elko until she permanently moved back to Texas permanently in 2021.
Jeanette was predeceased by her husband, Jack Tognini; her parents, Tom and Jewel Barnes; her infant son, Hugh Wesley Jr.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her brother, Dennis L. Barnes and wife, Joanna, of Pottsboro, Texas and their children, Daniel Barnes and wife, Stephanie, of Frisco, Texas, Casey Barnes and fiancé, Erika Shelor, of Seattle, Washington, and Deanna Hargrove and husband, Adam, of Frisco, Texas; sons, Tony Gunter and wife, Laura, of Elko, Nevada, Tim Gunter and wife, Loretta, of Whitewright, Texas, and Todd Tognini and wife, Dalana, of Carlin, Nevada; grandchildren, Thomas Gunter and wife, Billi, of Elko, Nevada, Tyler Gunter and wife, Tamra of Gilbert, Arizona, Troy Gunter and wife, Nicole, of Tomball, Texas, Lori Gunter and fiancé, Ronnie Woods, of Elko, Nevada, Leesa Gunter and husband, Craig Martinez, of Elko, Nevada, Jamie Caldwell and husband, Brandon, of Merrimack, Massachusetts, Trace Gunter, Tanner Gunter of Whitewright, Texas, Torre Tognini of Vancouver, Washington, and Taydan Tognini of Elko, Nevada; 14 great grandchildren; and 8 great-great grandchildren, as well as several cousins.
A funeral service will be held for Jeanette at 10AM, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Turrentine Jackson Morrow, 201 West Mapel Street, Whitewright, Texas 75491. Jeanette will be buried next to her parents and many other family members in the Elm Grove Cemetery in Westminster, Texas. Pallbearers for her service are Tony Gunter, Tim Gunter, Tanner Gunter, Trace Gunter, Tyler Gunter, and Dennis Barnes.