Jean E. “Jeannie” Martin, age 81 years, longtime Great Bend resident, passed away at her home in Great Bend on Thursday morning, Aug. 15, 2024.  Jeannie was born on June 6, 1943 at Hoisington, Kan. to Esten and Blanche (Jennings) Stehwein. She graduated from Hoisington High School in 1961 and moved to Great Bend in 1974. Jeannie operated Mimi’s Daycare from her home for many years and later worked as Custodian for the Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend. She later worked for J.C. Penney in Great Bend, where she worked as a sales associate, cashier, custodian, and other maintenance duties, retiring in 2015. Jeannie enjoyed crafts of all kinds and was very talented at working with her hands. She loved to bake – especially Monster and Sugar Cookies, and also cakes for birthdays and special occasions for family and friends.

Survivors include one son Chris (and Cai) Lowry of St. Hedwig, Texas and one daughter Connie J. Purnell of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren, Jesi (and Justin) Crispin, Derek Lowry, Kylei Lowry, Brett Purnell and Ryan Purnell; three great-grandchildren:  Wyatt Crispin, Blake Crispin, and Evyn Crispin; one brother Bill (and Juanita) Stehwein of Pequannock, New Jersey and two sisters, Judy Linker of Enid, Okla. and Julie (and Harold) Thorne of Hoisington. Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Barbara Vinyard, Betty Millard, Carol Sue Behr, Kitty Schremmer, and John Stehwein; her former husbands Gary Lowry and Verl Martin; and her son-in-law Bob Purnell.

Cremation has been chosen and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date. The family has requested that Memorial Contributions be made to either the Ronald McDonald House or the Golden Belt Humane Society at Great Bend. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 17, 2024