Jeanette M Inwards

Jeanette Inwards, age 89, of Detroit Lakes, MN passed into the presence of Jesus and was joyfully reunited with loved ones in Heaven, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s. Before her unexpected decline in health, she had a pleasant final birthday.

Jeanette Muriel Peterson was born on September 24, 1937, to Philip Ronald and Hazel Evelyn (Rhodes) Peterson in Parkers Prairie, MN. Jeanette grew up on a farm, the youngest of three children. She played the accordion and also played the trombone in the Parker’s Prairie High School band. Jeanette was confirmed in Esther Lutheran Church where she married her high school sweetheart, Keith Thomas Inwards, on July 23, 1955, soon after their graduation. They began their family in Moorhead, MN with three sons and in 1963 moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where they welcomed six more children (five adopted). Jeanette was a homemaker, mother of nine, and a first-time grandmother by the age of 39. During her 40’s, she co-owned the Birch Bark Gift Shop with a friend in the 1980’s. A second wave of grandchildren began in the 1990’s, and at age 82, Jeanette reached the rare milestone of becoming a great-great-grandmother.

Jeanette was a woman of deep faith, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and a caring neighbor and friend. She was also a realist who would be quick to point out that she was less than perfect, and that life can be less than perfect too. One of her greatest strengths was to provide a welcoming home – with beautiful flowers she tended on the outside and rooms full of creative decorations on the inside (like a fun moose-themed bathroom upstairs). When family came to visit, there was a never-ending supply of food and leftovers in the kitchen (including rhubarb desserts) and sometimes the enjoyable sound of her piano playing from the living room, but her greatest gift was her welcoming presence and genuine interest in others. She loved to join family games around the table, work on a puzzle or watch a movie together, sit on the porch or on the couch and just listen and laugh at the stories and antics of her family members. Jeanette genuinely loved people and profoundly impacted many lives, especially the lives of her children and grandchildren. She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Among those left to celebrate Jeanette’s life are seven of her children: Bruce (Laura) Inwards of Kansas City, MO, Doug (Colleen) Inwards of Roseville, MN, Katherine Livingood of Minneapolis, MN, Maria (Milt) Wilson of Detroit Lakes, MN, Matthew Inwards of Detroit Lakes, MN, Robert (Karen) Inwards of Waltham, MN, and Christopher Inwards of Champlin, MN; 19 grandchildren (Isaac, Lissy, Anna, Christina, Mark, Joanna, Julie, Laurie, Emmy, Megan, Brita, Rachel, Mozus, Monique, Carey, Katy, Keaton, Nicole, and Leah), 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; her beloved sister Harriet Heineke of Detroit Lakes, MN (nearly 99); and extended family, Andy, Melody, Annika and Bella Lam of High Wycombe, England.

Jeanette was preceded in Heaven by her parents, Philip and Hazel Peterson, brother Boyd Peterson of Detroit Lakes, MN, her husband of 65 years, Keith Inwards, and two sons: Michael Inwards (Phyllis of Alexandria, MN) and Curtis Inwards (Kathy of Florence, SD). Her time of mourning is over . . . replaced with gladness and joy.

“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11

May God bless the memory of Jeanette Inwards and the legacy of faith and love she leaves to her family and those who knew and loved her until we joyfully meet her again.

She loves us still, she laughs, she lives

Our precious memories are gifts that give

A lasting reminder of her love

Until our reunion in our home above.

A Celebration of Life for Jeanette will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Frazee, MN. Online condolences and memories of Jeanette may be shared at fureyfh.com.