Jeanette Gay Wilson

Jeanette was born on the family farm, six miles east of Hurley, Missouri, on November 9, 1946, to Everett and Thresia (Wright) Ottendorf. She joined her big brother, Everett Eugene, who was eleven years old at the time. Four years later, they welcomed a little sister, Elaine Kay.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband and childhood sweetheart, Danny Eugene; his parents, Marvin and Maxine (Springer); her parents; a baby brother, Eugene; her sister, Elaine; her wonderful daughter-in-law, Cheryl Lynn; and her nephew, James Dean Butler.
She is survived by her sons, Paul of Wichita and Brian of the home; granddaughter, Kirsten Gorman (Caleb); grandson, Caleb; and great-grandson, Oliver. She is also survived by her brother's daughters, Deborah, Sharon, and Jeanice; her sister's husband, Dean; Dan's brother, Jim (Marge); his sister, Carolyn (Bob); and Amy and Kyle niece and nephew. Other surviving relatives include her maternal cousins, Phyllis Young, Eula Jean Hancock, and Mary Nell Ebert (Dale), and her only fraternal cousin and dear friend, Patti Lane.
Jeanette held strong in her faith and the commitment she made to her Lord and Savior at twelve years old during Vacation Bible School at Bloody Ridge Baptist Church.
During the summer of 1964, Jeanette began working at Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Corp while attending college. In 1965, she worked as a typist for the college newspaper. She later left college to work as a telephone operator in 1966, then left that job in 1967 to get married. She worked as a typist for Retail Credit Co., and in 1972 became a crossing guard for Cowden School. She stayed home with her boys until July 27, 1978, then worked the next 25 years for Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State. After retiring, she volunteered for four years at the Mercy front desk, then worked nine years at Mercy's daycare. She later volunteered again in Mail and Flowers for two years. Jeanette also enjoyed her time working at Rutledge-Wilson Farm, Little Angels on Battlefield, and lastly, Burlington Coat Factory.
In 2019, Jeanette was honored with the appointment of Grand Ruth in the Order of the Eastern Star. Alongside her best friends, Patti Lane and Bobbie Coats, she traveled the state of Missouri and had the time of her life.
Then, she got sick.
To my Fresenius family - Larry, Sean, Davis, Gwen, Cowboy, Rodney, Norma, Angi, Randy, and Jason (her neighbor) - thank you.
Jeanette had two pieces of advice that she would like to share:
One is from her friend Lester, "Laugh, a cheerful heart is good medicine. Don't lose your jolly button!"
Jeanette also liked a quote she heard on TikTok, "Keep hanging on like a hair on a biscuit".
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at the funeral home with burial to follow in Maple Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.