Jeanine Michele Moreno

Jeanine was born on December 19, 1952, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Eugene and Marie Hendricks.

As a young woman, Jeanine enjoyed her modeling and pageantry days and was proud to serve as a princess for the St. Paul Winter Carnival, a special chapter of her younger years that her family fondly remembers.

Singing was also a memorable part of Jeanine’s younger years. Growing up, she sang all the time, and her family could often hear her voice coming from the basement of their home. Her singing became part of the beginning of her story with her future husband, Joseph “Joe” R. Moreno. Joe played guitar and sang with the Four Cousins Band, and Jeanine sang with the band as well, often taking the lead. Although Jeanine and Joe were six years apart in age, they knew one another through those early years of music and friendship.

When Joe later left to serve in the Army, the two began writing letters back and forth and stayed in touch while he was away. When he returned home, their friendship grew into something more. They began dating, fell in love, and the rest was history. Together they built a life centered around their family and filled with travel, friendships, gatherings, and a home that was always open to others.

Jeanine loved bringing people together. She was known for her annual neighborhood holiday party, card nights with friends and family, and neighborhood block parties. She was always trying new recipes and took great pride in sharing her latest creations with everyone at her gatherings. Her parties were known for their generous spreads, and feeding the people she cared about was part of the joy of hosting. As a dedicated Crime Watch Block Captain, she took her volunteer role seriously and cared deeply about the people who lived around her.

Her garden was another of her great loves. Jeanine seemed to have a million varieties of hostas and plants and was always looking for another one to add. During the summer, she enjoyed day trips with her kids throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa in search of plants, garden treasures, and homemade crafts. Her gardens became something she shared with others, including nursing home residents whom she welcomed to her home for garden tours.

Jeanine was creative herself and enjoyed crafting and making things with her hands. Among her creations were garden gazing balls, garden décor, and her unforgettable “peak-a-boo dolls”—one of the many things that reflected her sense of humor and made Jeanine uniquely Jeanine.

Fishing was another pastime that spanned generations of Jeanine’s life. She enjoyed it as a child and continued to enjoy fishing as an adult, sharing many fishing adventures with her children, friends, father, sister and brother.

Jeanine had a special place in her heart for seniors and spent countless hours volunteering at the nursing home. She brought her beloved dog Tia to visit residents, helped with birthday parties and special events, called Bingo, and found countless ways to bring joy and companionship to others. In recognition of her extraordinary commitment, Jeanine was named District G Volunteer of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota in 2011.

Travel brought Jeanine great joy. She traveled to Mazatlán, Mexico, more than 20 times and enjoyed trips to Milwaukee, Chicago, Las Vegas, and many other destinations. One particularly meaningful adventure was a trip to Italy with her sister and daughters, taken in honor of her late mother, who had always dreamed of going there.

Jeanine’s welcoming spirit extended well beyond her own family. She opened her home to foreign exchange students from Spain and Chile, giving them a family and a home away from home during their time in Minnesota.

She also adored her animals throughout the years. Gringo, Ginger, Spanky, Tia, Coco, Nala, and Minnie Mouse were all beloved members of Jeanine’s family and fortunate recipients of her affection.

Above everything else, Jeanine loved her family. She leaves behind her children, Joseph Moreno (Laura), Jeana Moreno-Krueger (Dan), and Annalisha Perez (Carlos); grandchildren, Victoria Moreno, Tyra Moreno (Eathen Maki), JJ Moreno, Samantha Krueger, Alex Krueger, Sophia Krueger, Nico Perez, and Valentino Perez; and great-grandchildren, Damon Maki and Donovan Maki. She is also survived by her brother, Kelly Hendricks (Donna), and sister, Sherie Hendricks-Bremseth.

Jeanine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph “Joe” R. Moreno, and her parents, Eugene Hendricks and Marie Pelton.

Her family extends its heartfelt gratitude to St. John’s Hospital, St. John’s Cancer Care Center, and Grace Hospice, for the care and compassion shown to Jeanine and her family. A special thank you to Dungarvin for their support during this difficult time.

Jeanine’s life was full. She gardened, traveled, fished, created, volunteered, hosted, celebrated, tried new recipes, cared for her neighbors, spoiled her pets, opened her home to others, and loved her family with all her heart. Her legacy lives on not only in the family she cherished, but in the many people she welcomed, helped, entertained, fed, and made feel at home.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

An Evening Visitation will be held at Wulff Funeral Home, 1485 White Bear Ave, St. Paul, MN 55106, US, on September 1, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Visitation will take place at Wulff Funeral Home, 1485 White Bear Ave, St. Paul, MN 55106, US, on September 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Service at Wulff Funeral Home at 11:00 am.

A Committal Service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450, US, on September 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm.