Jacqueline Sauerbrunn “Jackie”, age 86, of Marion, Illinois passed away peacfully at 6:57 A.M. Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Sunshine Gardens Healthcare Center in Marion with her loving family by her side.
She was born on May 22, 1939 in Belknap, Illinois in Johnson County, to Orval and Wanda Henry. She spent most of her teenage years in Karnak, Illinois. Jackie was united in marriage to Norval “Dean” Sauerbrunn on January 2, 1958 in Karnak, Illinois, and together they shared sixty eight years in marriage. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Illinois.
Jackie spent the first two years of marriage in Germany with her husband, Dean, who served in the U.S. Army. Upon their return to Illinois, they soon started their family.
Jackie’s contributions extended outside of the family and was employed at many places including Anchor Brush, All-Steel, and Keeler School for the Physically and Mentally challenged young adults.
After retirement, Jackie and Dean moved back to Southern, Illinois. Retirement brought them much joy spending time with their children and grandchildren. Their favorite pastimes were boating, four-wheeling, riding go carts, and swimming in the pool.
Some of Jackie’s favorite hobbies were reading, taking care of her dogs over the years (Lady, Cindy, Sam, Freckles, and Rocky). She was an active member of her community running the food pantry and volunteering for the Lunch Bunch in Johnson City.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was always up for adventures with her kids and grandkids.
She is survived by her husband, Dean of Marion, Illinois, daughter, Deborah Knauer and her husband Carl of Virginia Beach, Virginia, two sons, Bruce Sauerbrunn his wife Vickie of Olmsted, Illinois and Terry Sauerbrunn and his wife Chris of Marion Illinois. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Steven and Ryan Knauer, Taryn Sauerbrunn, Larry and Andrew Schnaare, Michelle Hannan, and elevan great-grandchildren.
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Wanda Henry, brother, Weldon James Henry, brother, William Henry, grandson, Eric Schnaare.
Funeral services honoring the life of Mrs. Jacqueline Sauerbrunn “Jackie” will be held at 1 P.M. Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. Rev. Steve Hudspath will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 A.M. Tuesday until the service hour. Interment will follow at the Concord Cemetery, Olmsted, Illinois.
For those that prefer memorial contributions can be made to Concord Cemetery. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.
To leave an online message for the family or to share a memory, you can also visit our website at www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com