A waitress working 30 years at Perkins gets an unexpected Feel Good Friday surprise

#eastidahonews #feelgoodfriday #surprise
EastIdahoNews.com and Ashley in Idaho Falls and Pocatello are partnering to honor people in our community for Feel Good Friday. Every week, we surprise someone deserving of special recognition.
Jeannie is a server at Perkins and this week she will celebrate her 30th anniversary of employment at the restaurant!
She is 70 years old and everyone loves "Mama Ker," as she's commonly called at Perkins. Her guests count her as a special person and always come in to tell her about important things happening in their lives. She has been to numerous mission farewells, homecomings, funerals and weddings of her guests.
Jeannie worked at restaurants in Rexburg and Rigby before starting at Perkins. Her husband became disabled in 2002 and she became the sole breadwinner with three young kids at home. To this day she still thrives to make ends meet.
We decided to pay Jeannie a visit and thank her for all these years of serving customers at Perkins. Watch the video above to see the Feel Good Friday surprise!

[@reinabrowne]

I worked alongside Jeannie in the mid-nineties and she was just like a mama to me. I love her! So happy to see she's doing so well.

[@debbieflaherty1975]

Awwwwwwwww…. I love this. Thank you for sharing.

[@joeheid4757]

Sounds like she deserves a Secret Santa visit. 💯😜🎅

[@juliescheidler7763]

I was thinking the same thing! 😊

[@brianm9467]

She sure does

[@ChaCha-lt8rx]

Yep...Nate please read this ❤

[@nonnasuestitches9194]

Agree 🎅🏻🤶🏻🎄

[@Blessed241]

Yes she does! 💯 ❤

[@loveforeignaccents]

What a cute lady!! Even spotted one of her coworkers tearing up. Mama didn't realize her coworkers went all out for her as well. What a special team they have up there, including Joe who stepped in to say such lovely words about her, too. Hope she enjoys everything, especially her night out to the movies and dinner! Thanks, Ashley & EIN, for honoring this special and lovely lady!

[@ravenheaven2425]

That was VERY WELL DESERVED! 30 Years at the same restaurant. That's almost unheard of these days. Congrats to "Mama Kerr".

[@bridiesmith460]

That’s what going to work should be like. ❤

[@ml-gr4mh]

East Idaho News has renewed my faith in the fact that there are precious, kind, loving people still left in the world.

[@candis9693]

I hope Perkins has given her something. That's a golden employee.

[@monica11119]

What a sweet lady; no wonder why people love her! Congratulations sunshine! 💫💛🧡

[@richardthomas1743]

YAY! Jeannie! Congratulations on 30 years! 🎉🎊🎈🎉🎈🎊

[@paulwhite2533]

Awe.....another lovely lady....well deserved

[@amherst88]

Part of what you do is shine a light on the otherwise unknown-to-the-outside-world 'regular people' who show us the best of who we are capable of being ❤

[@duranopaulo]

Perkins is giving her a lifetime free meals membership soon. Lovely.

[@EnjoyingLifeMelanie]

I want to go there and have her as my server. She would make the experience so special. What a sweetie.

[@pauleasley6488]

From Texas... In these days of hate and turmoil, it's so refreshing to have a story like this come across my feed. Mama Kerr, we NEED more people in this world like you. You warmed my heart, and I hope you enjoy your date night.

[@skywalkerranch]

Bless this woman she seems a lovely person. We need more people in the world like this woman.

[@alibaba5751]

Lot of Prays for everyone

[@ms.cellaneous7458]

🎈🎉🌺Big Congratulations Ms. Jeannie! 🌺🎉🎈 What a lovely lady. Most deserving. Here's to another 10-20-30 or more years. 🥂🌹

[@markberman8958]

I think Mama Kerr needs a visit from Secret Santa! What a wonderful lady!

[@kens.3729]

Beautiful Lady. There will Never be another Employee at Perkins that Works 30 years. Very Impressive Lady and Who wouldn’t want her as their Waitress ?🙏

[@loobylouboti]

Awwwww, she was just lovely, 😍 In always amazed at these when ppl have worked somewhere for sooooooo many years. It's such a rare occurrence and I think says alot about not only the worker but very much the establishment. Joe clearly values his employees. So way to go Joe and Perkins. I recently found out the lady in the chippy (fish and chip shop,) across the road from where I moved to last year, has worked there for 50 YEARS. My jaw nearly hit the ground! She's in her 70's, still working there because she just loves customer service that much and now her daughter and one of her nieces works there too. Just like this lady in the video, ya gotta LOVE customer service work to work in such an environment. I commend these people highly. Lol! Much love to this lovely lady and happy Friday to you all. Love from England 🇬🇧

[@cnatview]

loobylouboti.....Please pass along my congratulations from the USA to the loyal woman that has worked in your local chippy for 50 years! I have watched EastEnders for quite a few years and when you said that this lady worked at a chippy, my head thought, "I wonder if loobylouboti lives on Albert Square and this lady works at Ian Beale's chippy?". 😂 (I hope you know EastEnders and who Ian Beale is) 🤭 Take care and be well. ✌️

[@loobylouboti]

@@cnatview Lol! Yoir comment just made me giggle! Haha! 😊 I do know of Eastenders and Ian Beale, 🤣 I used to watch Eastenders all the time ago MANY years ago now though! (I haven't actually owned a TV for 12 or so yrs now and never watch 'the soaps.' 🙈 ) I actually live the furthest away from London you can get before you reach Scotland (A place called Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East. A far, far away land, with even dodgier accents than the Cockneys, Haha!) And thank goodness, cause the chippies in the South aren't worth the paper they are wrapped in! 😉😂 Thanks so much for your comment. Many blessings to you across the pond! Edit: Oh, and I will pass on my regards to the lady in my local chippy, 👍 Bless her. Thank you.

[@inthemouthofmadness5910]

Working at the same job for 30 years is dedication.

[@juliefuraitor5610]

She’s so deserving of Feel Good Friday. Good customer service is hard to come by. She deserves a day of pampering at a spa too.

[@Jimreb80]

This got me emotional and crying. In a happy way. Bless her.. Such a happy spirit.

[@corrineadams4857]

Good morning ! Wake up , pray....and feel good tears with you ! 🌻

[@brodydog]

LOVING EAST IDAHO NEWS -- SUPER TO SEE NICE PEOPLE GET GOOD THINGS

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

Totally OT, but I haven't been to a Perkins in forever. Always gives me a feeling of nostalgia. I remember my Kindergarten field trip for breakfast and pancakes and syrup, their coloring contests, and at Christmas they'd always have a drawing for a HUGE stocking for kids that I always hoped I could win, but never did. I don't even know if that many Perkins even exist anymore.

[@tammypearce7491]

What a wonderful, sweet, caring young lady. It was truly amazing and humbling to watch.

[@catH727]

Congratulations

[@cindylunceford3626]

She has lots of happiness in her heart and lots of love...happy 30th anniversary....

[@petetling]

you are loved because you are one great person. stay healthy jeenie so you’ll make more people happy in the many more years to come. God bless you.

[@carine4318]

One beautiful lady indeed congratulations ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕💕💕🇦🇺

[@ONNpankaj]

Secret Santa great work for humanity always and Love from India 🇮🇳

[@TheRealGrinch313]

What a sweetheart! Congratulations on 30 years, Mama Kerr! 💪

[@nathantaylor8643]

Man most people these days don't even stay a week. Truly an inspirational woman.

[@DuckyJoJo1]

She's the sweetest! We love it when we get her as our server. She works so hard and is always sweet and friendly no matter how busy she is. Congratulations!!

[@jacquicoder7160]

I've frequented some restaurants just because of a server I really liked, so I can relate to this woman's experience of making friends of guests. Congrats on 30 years!

[@gloriathornton9124]

So Very Sweet... We Love To Love and Be Loved and Jeannie IS Love. Mama Kerr, We Wish You 30 More Glorious Years... Blessings from SE Washington State.

[@susanstancliff2937]

Such a sweet lady! She deserves it all!

[@Annie-ZA]

What a lovely, deserving lady! 👌😍🙏🥰😘🤗

[@Twangtown7]

What an absolute beautiful lady. Inside and out.

[@evandegenfelder4554]

As a person who has been a waitress several times in my past (and that was as a young person!) I can tell you it is hard HARD work. Being on your feet for so many hours, usually on an unforgiving surface, it's tough and especially so as you get a bit older. It's clear she really loves her job and that she's obviously appreciated by everyone. Cheers to you Jeannie!

[@justmy2abelincolns272]

Oh my gosh she was so sweet and happy I could hardly take it!! What a little sweetie pie.

[@anntrope491]

♡ ☆ ♡ BLESSINGS ON THIS SWEET DESERVING LADY...♡☆♡ NATE HAS THE BEST JOB EVER !!♡☆♡

[@elenafoleyfoley168]

Awww bless her 👼🏻 CONGRATULATIONS Mama Kerr 🌺💐🌺

[@equeensburyc21]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RoadiesAndRescues]

I will never get tired of these Feel Good Friday videos. 👏🥰😇

[@daily8353]

I love this lady & Nate's humor 😍❤️

[@cirkutpersonal]

I just LOVE East Idaho News! Never been to Idaho, but #FGF and the #SecretSanta videos are some of my FAVORITE videos to watch. I look forward to the holiday season and every Friday to truly feel good about humanity!

[@memaj3353]

I love this so much I am a server also! love it!!!!

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

What a sweet lady. I would want her as my server as well. As soon as I saw her boss I knew why she works there. A nice, grandfatherly type who appreciates his employees and treats them decently! Congratulations Jeanie!!

[@StealAdobo]

Ahhh i feel she deserved more! What a sweet lady!

[@layalaya9367]

Send her something more.

[@carle8608]

I hope she received a nice bonus from Perkins after 30 years amazing and faithful service. Congratulations Jeannie!

[@bugvswindshield]

good stuff right there. love this channel.

[@JudithBisson]

Awe how lovely she is.

[@EK-fl8yz]

Ms Jeannie what an amazing life you have ❤️❤️🇦🇺

[@l_Live_In_Oregon]

How could you not smile being around this dear lady?? Thanks for sharing her story.

[@lala_arneezy]

The sweetest lil lady 🥺❤️

[@debbieflaherty1975]

What a lovely lady. Thank you for celebrating Miss. Jeannie.

[@melaniegreen1311]

If I ever visit Idaho I would love to go to Perkins and hope Jeannie would be my server. Congratulations Jeannie!

[@debraallen63]

She was surprised by Nate and EIN and again when she saw the cake and flowers from her co-workers & boss!!! She deserves it!! You can See the warm soul shine though in her 💕😊

[@AudiophileTubes]

This is so wonderful! There are so many restaurant employees that we should honor and gift something to, nationwide. Support your local restaurants, as many of them are still on the verge of closing, or have closed!

[@Sweet05cts]

I need to find someone that loves me the way that woman loves her job! HAHA I know the type, and sure AF I would be asking for her too

[@kellyedes6318]

Congratulations to an amazing woman. You are a blessing to sp many that you see everyday in your job.

[@Spikeswift]

When can I move to East Idaho so I can be served by Mamma Kerr also, what a beautiful soul. Greetings from the UK x

[@jimbear8888]

Congratulations young lady!! 🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈

[@sevdas8087]

Dear mom ❤Congratulations on 30 years 👏

[@pattybanda8728]

I love to see kindness God bless all the good wonderful people

[@allisonlane7367]

Just love you Secret Santa and Feel Good Fridays

[@alwash9323]

When I hear stories like this and I see him with my own eyes and makes me feel good to know that this lady went through so much in life and she still focused on one thing and that's getting up in the morning and going to work that's what drives me to get up in spite of all the problems we go through in life and all the people that hate to see you going to work and all your haters at work I still get up in the morning and I strive even harder when I see stories like this I am so proud of this lady to others and I wish you nothing but the best

[@janiceconnett3192]

LOVE THESE POSITIVE VIDEOS!! Thank you so much for the donor & all that are involved. In this day of contentious news, your station brings out the BEST in humankind. Thank you!

[@thereds1959]

Well done 👏 congratulations 👏 ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@vickiparrish3235]

What a sweetheart!!

[@lovedadonald.]

Wow what a great story ! Thank you so much for recognizing this wonderful lady and letting us all get to meet her... Please don't tell anybody it made me cry....

[@rhondaphillips432]

I love 💘💗♥💓💛💖💘 this program. Thank you so much!!!!!!! Rhonda from Northeast Georgia USA 🇺🇸

[@Psykoticgodd]

She is so sweet!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!

[@lindagardenlady]

A genuine gem of a person! Well deserved to ♥️♥️👏👏 Agree-- Secret Santa take notice!!

[@luisv7117]

Congratulationssssssssss Jeannie on your 30th anniversary and many more, from what I see East Idaho is a great place to live I do have to visit one day

[@farmerclegg1028]

Nate you couldn't have picked a better recipient. I've known the ker family my entire life. My father has been friends with her awesome husband steve. They are such a good family and they all have warming hearts. They are just good people. I'm so glad yall got to do this for her. She's been threw alot with the ups and downs of her husband. This is just amazing. Again Nate Eaton you're the best!

[@wizzard5442]

She said she's worked there every day for 30 years - every day? No vacation or time off?

[@bettycogswell9851]

Awww. Congrats. You can tell she is a special lady.

[@nenettep5796]

Congratulations to 30 years!

[@brownie1341]

What a wonderful lady!

[@kkhawk53]

Just sweet and beautiful! Congratulations!

[@JustMe-ec2ph]

What a lovely person! Loved by everyone. Taking on the responsibility of providing for her family after her husband became disabled. If this was not the Christmas season I would had thought how lovely doing that for her but I got to admit just not thinking about feel good Fridays when I clicked in I thought Secret Santa was going to give her a really big present after all of her years of hard work since those Secret Santa videos is what I had been watching. That's a lot of years she worked and how she has been a friend to so many people all of those years. Just being honest in my feelings after watching this but I do appreciate all East Idaho News does delivering these presents.

[@michaelcarley7016]

A true American Hero!

[@suzzannelemarier3350]

What a lovely lady.

[@debbiel8585]

What a sweet lady! Happy Anniversary! Also Perkins! Boy does that look familiar. We used to have them in St Louis area a long time ago.

[@briankay4229]

I remember when it was called Perkins Pancake House. Congrats Jeannie ❤️🙏😊 These are the kind of stories that make America such a beautiful place to live.

[@jo8726t]

Beautiful! Lovely lady.

[@marymccloskey9450]

What a lovely person.💕

[@LadyOaksNZ]

God Bless you Jeannie 🙏❤️ Such a sweet humble Lady. 💎

[@sophiecormier7031]

What a great lady. Sooo deserving!!

[@sooz9433]

What a beautiful story ❤️ CONGRATULATIONS Mama Ker!!🪻⚘️

[@audraarndt1824]

Awww. Shes so sweet. Makes me want to move to idaho.

[@michellerene951]

Awwww what a sweet lady!😊

[@oiaiofoster4775]

God Bless Her!!!!

[@garyroberts8742]

God bless this dear lady.

[@FairyMoonTarot]

Awww I work at a Perkins in Kansas and one of our servers just had her 51 year anniversary and she's just so sweet, I love her ❤️ Congrats Mama Kerr 🎉

[@RawOlympia]

Secret Santa is awesome, and so is she!!! What a great crew around this fab lady, Merry Christmas!!!

[@rhondarichards3982]

Nate and friends.Love love all the stories.Keep up the great work.

[@shaneellis9519]

I love this I'm a waiter at a independent living facility and I just celebrated 10yrs at my job. I have relationships with my residents and colleagues. I mentor the younger coworkers. She seems so sweet.