Jeanette LaCourt

Jeanette Evelyn LaCourt (née Skibsted) passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5:12 PM, with her daughter and son‑in‑law at her side.

Jeanette was born on July 6, 1937, in St. Paul, MN, to Dr. Edward and Florence Skibsted and big sister Tove. From St. Paul, the family moved to Osseo, WI, and later settled in Bay City, MI, where Edward opened his chiropractic practice and Jeanette began the second grade. She grew up in Bay City, made lifelong friends, and graduated from T.L. Handy High School. At Handy, she studied bookkeeping and always credited her bookkeeping teacher for the accounting skills and love of numbers that served her throughout her life. It was also during her time at Handy that she met her lifelong love, John “Jack” LaCourt. One year after graduation, they married on September 1, 1956.

After their wedding, they moved into a tiny trailer (without a bathroom!) on the Michigan State University campus. For four years, Jeanette worked full time as a bookkeeper, supporting John as he studied business and graduated from MSU.

In 1960, after John’s graduation, they moved to the Detroit area when he was hired by Firestone and began his career in the tire industry. Jeanette continued working as a bookkeeper until becoming a mother to Karen “Karrie” in November 1961. In 1962, John left Firestone and partnered with a colleague to open their first tire store, Capital Tire, in Farmington, MI. Jeanette and John became business owners and settled in Farmington, where they lived for 16 years. There, they met their lifelong friends, the Houchins, with whom they created many cherished memories and maintained a close bond well into their senior years.

As was typical of women of her generation, Jeanette fully supported her husband’s career and poured her talents into being a wonderful mother to Karrie. She was active in the school PTA, the Farmington community organization “Town Club,” and participated in various bowling and golf leagues. As a family, they enjoyed time at their cabin in West Branch, MI, with many friends and relatives—snowmobiling, motorcycling, and making memories.

John (“Jack”) was outgoing and larger than life, while Jeanette was more reserved, yet she was never in his shadow. They were true partners—side‑by‑side equals. Jeanette was quietly strong and fiercely independent, and he loved that about her.

In 1978, after John’s near‑fatal auto accident, they moved to Phoenix, AZ, for a fresh start. The move was difficult for Jeanette, but she never complained. She took the opportunity to return to school and studied to become a Medical Office Specialist. After graduating, she worked at a pediatrician’s office until the physician’s passing. She then joined the accounting department at Best Western International Headquarters, eventually becoming their Accounts Receivable Supervisor. After 21 years of service and many wonderful friendships, Jeanette joined Jack in retirement in 2002.

They traveled and enjoyed retirement, but their greatest joy was spending time with their daughter, son‑in‑law Tim, and their two grandchildren, Savannah and Ryan. They gave them unconditional love and never missed a single event—dance recitals, baseball and softball games, soccer games, school functions, talent shows, graduations, and more. When Savannah attended college and commuted 65 miles each way, she would drive 18 miles to her grandparents’ home, and Jeanette—“Nana”—would get up at 5:00 AM to drive her to the ASU bus stop and pick her up again in the evening. She did the same years later for Ryan. Nana never complained and always said how precious that one‑on‑one time was with her grandkids.

John “Jack” passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2015, and his loss affected Jeanette deeply. A quiet sadness stayed with her. She took pride in living independently and preferred being a homebody in her later years. She enjoyed her neighbors—Donna, Pattie, and Bob—along with occasional bike rides, crocheting, reading the newspaper and People magazine, and assembling puzzles. She kept a cabinet and a large bookcase full of puzzles she completed over and over again.

In April 2025, she took a fall in her home, and due to her declining health, it was no longer safe for her to live alone. She moved in with Karrie and Tim, where she spent her final fourteen months. At their home, she enjoyed watching wildlife—especially rabbits, roadrunners, and quail. She loved calls and visits from her grandchildren and occasional visits from friends. The highlight of her day was “ice cream time” every evening at 8:00 PM.

Jeanette will be remembered for her gentle strength and her unwavering devotion to her family. Her Lutheran faith shaped her values and the way she cared for others, offering kindness and love through steady, thoughtful actions. She cherished her sister and held a special affection for her sister‑in‑laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces,, and nephews. Her legacy lives on in the people she loved so fiercely and supported so faithfully.

Because Jeanette’s extended family lives out of state, we will not be holding a public memorial service in Phoenix. Our hope is that this memorial page becomes a place where her love, kindness, and spirit can continue to be felt. If you wish to share a memory, a message, or a photo, please know your sentiments are truly welcomed.

Thank you. Love, Karrie