Jean M. Soden

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My name is Jean M. Soden. Please call me Jeanie. Today is October 1, 2025, and I'm making my last entry in the daily journal that I've kept since retiring from teaching in 1997. My husband of 64 years, Gerald, and my sons, Greg and Jim, are here to help me remember. You see, ten years ago, I was diagnosed with dementia, and on April 12, 2023, I moved to Brandon Woods Memory Care in Lawrence. For the wonderful staff members who were always so patient with me, I thank you and am grateful for your kindness.

So let's start from the beginning. I was born on November 2, 1934. My parents, Vernon and Fern (Gilliland) Moorshead, lived in Breckenridge, Missouri. I remember living my younger years with my grandparents and older brother, Jimmy, who died at a young age. I graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1952 and from William Jewell College in 1955. After graduating from college, I worked one year at the Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City while also getting my teaching certificate. I then moved to Robinson, KS to teach. It was there I met a young man named Gerald. We kept in touch as my journeys took me to Stanford University where I completed a fellowship, Santa Barbara High School where I taught math, and Oregon State University where I got my master's degree in 1960. I then moved to Downey, California, where I worked at North America Aviation.

On February 4, 1961, Gerald (Pops) and I were married in Santa Monica, California. With the arrival of Greg to our union, we decided Kansas would be our home. My teaching career started again at Midway High School, and my youngest son, Jim, completed our family in 1964. My teaching career continued as a high school and middle school math teacher in Robinson until 1997.

I am able to remember the many adventures of times past, however, please don't ask me to remember what happened five minutes ago. I treasure the wonderful memories I have of motorcycling in the Blue Ridge mountains, traveling through many states in RVs, and spending winters in Arizona. The lake home Pops and I retired to on the shores of Table Rock Lake brings back memories of many visits of family and friends. We enjoyed one another's company on the lake and in Branson.

This entry to my journal today will be my last on this earth. I'm tired and ready to gather with family and friends who have passed before me. I can't remember all the names, but I am hoping to remember the faces. I'm leaving behind my husband Gerald, my sons Greg (and Denise) and Jim (and Steph), seven grandchildren, Caleb Soden, Colby Soden, Travis (and Bri) Coots, Tim (and Kiley) Coots, Tara (and Danny) Rials, Taylor Wallis, and Nacio Soden, six great grandchildren, Wade and Jackson Coots, Easton and Bodhi Coots, and Mia and Sammy Rials, my sisters Vernetta (and Dennis) McDonald, K (and Jim) Talbot, and Francis Schoolcraft, and my brother Vernon (and Carla) Moorshead.

I hope as you read this last journal entry, you will not be sad, but that you will laugh and smile as you remember your school days with me and all the visits we have had throughout the years. This life has been a wonderful journey. It's getting late and I see my daddy's hand reaching for me, so I must go. Goodbye.

A celebration of Jeanie's life will be held at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, located at 124 South 7th, in Hiawatha, KS on October 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Please dress in casual attire, whereas Jeanie would want everyone to be comfortable. Everyone is invited to share a story of remembrance if you would like to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Todd Widman Memorial Scholarship fund, sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home.