September 14, 1922 - September 28, 2019
Jean was a lifelong Kansan. She was born in Baxter Springs, KS to Lucy Ellen (Decker) Owens and Clarence Oliver Owens. Her sister, Mildred M. (Dean) Case and her husband of forty-eight years, Glendon E. Nestor, were all Kansans and preceded her in death.
She graduated from Lyons High School in Lyons, KS as Valedictorian in 1940 and worked for the CCC during WWII, until her marriage in 1941. Glen and Jean moved to Wichita and worked for Beech Aircraft and later, Boeing. They were members of Buoys and Galleys couples’ group at Brotherhood Presbyterian Church where she also taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.
For several years, she worked as an executive secretary at Boeing and as a textbook proofreader for McCormick-Mathers Publishing Company. From the 1950s on, she devoted herself to her spouse and children. She was active in P.T.A., E.H.U., Wichita Quilters Guild, and Shepherd’s Center at East Heights Methodist, where she enjoyed taking classes in quilting and writing poetry. She later taught several classes in quilting and was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. After her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she volunteered many hours to the organization. She was awarded the Bronze Hope Chest award from the Wichita chapter in 1969.
Jean will be cherished in memory by her children Cynthia (Gary) Heckmann of Centennial, CO and Michael (Michelle Crubaugh) Nestor of Clearwater, KS; her niece, Joyce (Case) James of Horseshoe Bay, TX; grandchildren Glen (Deborah) Hostetler of Aurora, CO and Charles (Leslie) Hostetler of Parker, CO, Paula (Justin) Conner of Peterborough, UK, and Dean (Matti Herd) Nestor of Wichita, KS; and great-grandchildren Cameron, Emerson, Evan, Edward, and Ethan Hostetler of CO.
A celebration of life service will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home and Cemetery Chapel, 12100 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS on October 18th, 2019 at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis, 9415 E. Harry Street, Wichita, KS 67207 (316/264-1333). Condolences for the family may be offered at www.dignitymemorial.com.
