Happy Grandparents Day


Dave and Jane Jesenovec have 16 grandchildren, two grand angels, and will soon be great grandparents for the first time. This photo was taken at Easter as their grandchildren hunted for Easter eggs at their home in Scotch Grove. All but one grandchild is pictured. Their oldest lives in North Carolina. (Photo submitted)

In 2016, the entire Jesenovec family made a trip to the Iowa State Fair to accept the Century Farm Award from Sec. of Ag Bill Northey. Family means a lot of the Jesenovecs, and spending time together is something they strive to do as often as possible. (Photo submitted)
Jesenovecs enjoy blessings, laughter with so many grandchildren
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Grandparents Day was Sept. 10, and Dave and Jane Jesenovec certainly had a lot to celebrate and be thankful for!

     “It’s great to see our legacy live on,” said Jane.

     True words.

     The Jesenovecs have 16 grandchildren and two angels in heaven, ranging in age from 21 years old to 8 months. And, their oldest grandchild will soon make Jane and Dave great grandparents for the first time in December.

     “We are certainly very blessed and fortunate,” said Dave.

     With so many grandchildren to keep up with, they’re grateful that they all live within a 20-mile radius of Sand Springs, where the family get-togethers take place. Their oldest grandchild lives in North Carolina with her husband who’s in the service. Dave said once that great grandchild is born, they plan to make a visit out east.

     With 16 grandkids, you’re bound to have multiple birth dates in a year. The Jesenovecs have two grandchildren born in 2004, two in 2006, two in 2009, and two in 2016. Their twin angels were born in 2015.

     When asked what they enjoy doing with their brood of grandchildren, Jane simply said, “Everything.”

     From sporting events to band and choir concerts, Jane said the grandkids certainly stay busy.

     “You name it, we’re there,” she said of supporting their grandkids.

     Aside from school and community events, Jane and Dave also attend the Great Jones County Fair for their grandkids who show in the livestock-judging shows.

     “We assist when we can,” Dave said when it comes to showing at the fair.

     Dave said more than anything, the grandkids enjoy simply spending time at Grandpa and Grandma’s farm, which is in rural Worthington. The kids take their BB guns and pigeon hunt, which Dave said they get a kick out of. The older ones will go out and hunt deer and turkey.

     “They really enjoy being in the timber,” said Dave.

     “We’ll float the river, too,” added Jane, “which is one of their favorite things to do.”

     The Jesenovecs said just being outside is the best for everyone.

     “Just being together is great fun,” said Jane.

     As the grandkids get older and have more activities under their belt, Jane said it could be hard finding time to get together.

     Holidays and birthdays are a big deal in the Jesenovec family, too. Everyone gathers together in Sand Springs, playing board games and just enjoying the company.

     Jane said they’ll host several of the grandkids at once for weekend sleep-overs. The kids will set up a tent upstairs and “camp” inside.

     “They just have so much fun,” Jane said. “And we love spending time with them.”

     The Jesenovecs raised five kids of their own, one son and four daughters; or as Dave calls them, “one king and four queens.” The Jesenovecs grew up on the farm, learning the meaning of hard work and chores. Dave and Jane said it’s rewarding seeing their kids instill those same lessons into raising the next generation.

     Jane said when it comes to baking for the holidays, the grandkids will just pitch in without being told to do so.

     “Many hands make good work,” she said.

     “They’re teaching those kids about good work ethic,” Dave said of their grandkids.

     Twenty-one years ago on Jane’s birthday no less, they found out they were going to be grandparents for the first time.

     “That was exciting news!” said Jane looking back. She said now, looking at all 16 of them, “They’re all so unique. It’s fun to see them grow up.”

     Dave said it’s interesting looking into the future at what their grandchildren will each face as they get older, where they’ll venture off to.

     Having raised their own kids, the Jesenovecs said being grandparents means less stress and lots of laughter.

     “You just enjoy the little things so much more,” said Jane, recalling the funny phrases the grandkids pick up and repeat.

     Dave said they used to correct their own kids; now, they just laugh whenever one of the grandkids says or does something out of line.

     “They’re all such good kids,” said Jane. “Our children must be doing something right.”

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