Mary Virginia "Jini" Tobler

Jini Tobler, 82, peacefully passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2009, due to complications from emphysema and COPD. She was born in Mexico, MO, on August 19, 1926, to Ruth and W.J. Bryan Alexander and was raised in Queen City, MO, along with her three brothers, R.E., K. Willard and H. Paul Alexander. As a young girl on the farm, she was actively involved with 4-H, her horses and basketball until graduating as valedictorian from her high school. The scholarship received at graduation enabled Jini to attend a secretarial school in Kansas City, MO. After graduating, she was employed by TWA for seven years. She began as a secretary and ultimately became a TWA hostess, a career she was very proud of. In 1953, she met and married Jacob (Jake) Earl Tobler, Jr., whose family began the Tobler's florist business in 1901. They moved to Olathe, KS, into their first home, which was con- nected by a greenhouse to the original Tobler's Flower shop on Santa Fe. Jini and Jake lived in Olathe for 28 years raising their three children: Jill, Jeff and Jane. Jini stayed home during most of these years; however, in later years she worked at Patron's State Bank and occasionally helped out in the flower shop. In 1981, Jini and Jake retired to Glendale, AZ, where they lived until 1997. Finding retirement too slow-paced, both found jobs for a few years until the grandchildren came along. Having been a very hands-on and nurturing mother, becoming a grandmother was an easy transition for Jini, and she loved spending time with her granddaughters. In 1996, they moved to Grand Junction, CO. After Jake's passing in 1998, she remained in their home until she died, ever independent. Jini's legacy of a "can-do" attitude, selflessness and a strong loyalty to family will continue as her children and grandchildren pursue their own lives and careers. Her strong spirit will sustain her family. Jini was preceded in death by her husband, Jake, in 1998; her mother and father, Ruth and Bryan Alexander, and her brother, R.E. Alexander. Jini is survived by her two brothers, K. Willard Alexander of Queen City, MO, and H. Paul Alexander of Hot Springs, AR; her three children, Jill Erickson (husband Galen), of Lenexa, KS, Jeff Tobler of San Francisco, CA, and Jane Tobler of Gypsum, CO, and three granddaughters: Whitney Russell (husband David) of Edwardsville, KS, and Molly Erickson and Lucy Erickson of Lenexa, KS. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to either the American Lung Associa- tion, at (800) 586-4872, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colo- rado, Grand Junction, CO, (970) 241- 2212.