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MULBERRY —
Jean Marie Sleeth, 71, of Mulberry, Kansas, died at 7:26 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas after a prolonged, courageous battle with cancer.
Jean was born on September 20, 1941 in Cherryvale, Kansas, a daughter of Charles and Mildred (McConnell) Miller.
Jean graduated valedictorian from Cherryvale High School in 1959. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in teaching in 1963. A life-long learner with a passion for education, Jean completed graduate courses at Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Illinois at Springfield. Devoted to service and to helping people, Jean’s career included positions in teaching, counseling, retail, and volunteer coordination.
She married Allan Adelbert Sleeth on August 14, 1965 in Cherryvale. The couple’s only child, Allana Marie Sleeth, was born in 1976. A devoted wife and mother, Jean spent several years as a stay-at-home mom. She supported her family through 19 relocations.
Deeply loving, she was known for her generosity, keen listening ability, and compassion for others. She touched lives throughout her family’s journeys in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
The Sleeths retired to Allan’s hometown in 2006, where Jean became active in the Mulberry community. She joined the Wednesday Domino Club at the Senior Center, assisted with the American Legion, and participated in countless other community events. She developed numerous friendships in the area, and she reconnected with high school classmates and family.
Jean also committed herself to cancer survival. A member of support groups and a cofounder of a mindfulness meditation group at Via Christi Cancer Center, she received and gave encouragement to others sharing in her struggle.
Jean is survived by her husband Allan; daughter Allana and significant other Art Ettinger of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister Ruth Rusmisel of Olathe, Kansas; brother John and wife Cathy Miller of Newnan, Georgia; sister-in-law Linda and husband Bob Anderson of Towanda, Kansas. Other treasured family members include three aunts, nine nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren. Jean leaves behind an honored network of friends and two cherished cats, Blackie and Itai.
Jean was preceded in death by her father in 1970 and her mother in 2011.
Jean has been cremated according to her wishes. Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 East Washington, Arma, Kansas with Peter T. Mayo officiating. Burial will occur at a later date at the Farlington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be accepted to either the Jean M. (Miller) Sleeth Memorial Scholarship Fund for a Cherryvale High School Graduate established by the alumni class of 1959, or the Via Christi Cancer Center. Donations may be sent or hand-delivered to Bedene Funeral Home.
Jean made the world a better place. Her heart encompassed us all.
Jean Marie Sleeth, 71, of Mulberry, Kansas, died at 7:26 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas after a prolonged, courageous battle with cancer.
Jean was born on September 20, 1941 in Cherryvale, Kansas, a daughter of Charles and Mildred (McConnell) Miller.
Jean graduated valedictorian from Cherryvale High School in 1959. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in teaching in 1963. A life-long learner with a passion for education, Jean completed graduate courses at Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Illinois at Springfield. Devoted to service and to helping people, Jean’s career included positions in teaching, counseling, retail, and volunteer coordination.
She married Allan Adelbert Sleeth on August 14, 1965 in Cherryvale. The couple’s only child, Allana Marie Sleeth, was born in 1976. A devoted wife and mother, Jean spent several years as a stay-at-home mom. She supported her family through 19 relocations.
Deeply loving, she was known for her generosity, keen listening ability, and compassion for others. She touched lives throughout her family’s journeys in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
The Sleeths retired to Allan’s hometown in 2006, where Jean became active in the Mulberry community. She joined the Wednesday Domino Club at the Senior Center, assisted with the American Legion, and participated in countless other community events. She developed numerous friendships in the area, and she reconnected with high school classmates and family.
Jean also committed herself to cancer survival. A member of support groups and a cofounder of a mindfulness meditation group at Via Christi Cancer Center, she received and gave encouragement to others sharing in her struggle.
Jean is survived by her husband Allan; daughter Allana and significant other Art Ettinger of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister Ruth Rusmisel of Olathe, Kansas; brother John and wife Cathy Miller of Newnan, Georgia; sister-in-law Linda and husband Bob Anderson of Towanda, Kansas. Other treasured family members include three aunts, nine nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren. Jean leaves behind an honored network of friends and two cherished cats, Blackie and Itai.
Jean was preceded in death by her father in 1970 and her mother in 2011.
Jean has been cremated according to her wishes. Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 East Washington, Arma, Kansas with Peter T. Mayo officiating. Burial will occur at a later date at the Farlington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be accepted to either the Jean M. (Miller) Sleeth Memorial Scholarship Fund for a Cherryvale High School Graduate established by the alumni class of 1959, or the Via Christi Cancer Center. Donations may be sent or hand-delivered to Bedene Funeral Home.
Jean made the world a better place. Her heart encompassed us all.
