Jeanne L. Bigham Gantz

Jeanne Louise Bigham Gantz, 95, of Grantville, went to heaven to join Jesus Christ and other loved ones on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. She was born October 14, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas, daughter of Herbert L. and Dorthea B. (Lukert) Frisbie of Grantville. Jeanne attended the Grantville Grade School and was a 1947 graduate of Perry High School, playing basketball and participating in Pep Club, Glee Club, Band, and Mixed Chorus. She was a Grantville 4-H Club member. She attended Kansas State University for one year and was a member of the Collegiate 4-H Club and Concert Band (flute).
She married her childhood sweetheart, Richard "Dick" M. Bigham on June 20, 1948. She was employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas until the birth of their first son.
The arrival of five children, community involvement and helping Dick with the farm and Bigham Plumbing and Electric, kept her on the go. Her jobs at home included secretary, equipment operator, grain truck driver to the elevators, and cook, delivering many homemade meals to the fields. Her work ethic, perseverance through trials, resourcefulness, patience and humor were wonderful examples to her family and friends, and are part of her legacy.
She was a lifetime member of the Grantville United Methodist Church, Grantville 4-H leader, and a member of Jefferson County Extension Unit, Eastern Star, United Methodist Women, and Parent Teachers Association. She was an excellent seamstress who made clothes for herself and her children, as well as baby quilts. Many hours were spent preserving food from a large garden.
Jeanne was one of her family's biggest supporters at sporting events, school, church, scouting and 4-H events. She was always encouraging and rejoiced in their accomplishments.
As children grew older, Jeanne went to work outside the home for the State of Kansas/Social Services Dept. and Kansas USPFO/National Guard Armory in Topeka where she later retired.
Dick preceded her in death due to a car accident on December 16, 1983. Survivors include five children: Rick (Jane) Bigham of Liberty, MO, Chuck (Jackie) Bigham of Ottawa, Rod (Linda) Bigham of Meriden, Linda (Chuck) Gantz of Valley Falls, and Nancy (Neil) Gantz of Perry. She later married George F. Gantz, Jr., on March 10, 1985 and gained stepsons, Fred (Sandy) Gantz of Lecompton, Neil (Nancy) Gantz of Perry and Mark (Angie) Gantz of Perry. George preceded her in death in February of 1996. She was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
In later years she enjoyed traveling with good friends, especially to the Branson area. Travel highlights included Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Colorado, Utah, passing through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship, and exploring the Hawaiian Islands.
The family will receive friends 5:30-7:30 PM, Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Grantville United Methodist Church, 3724 South St., Grantville, KS. A Celebration of Life will be at the church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Interment will follow at the Grantville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grantville United Methodist Church, Jefferson County 4-H Foundation or the Perry-Lecompton Alumni Scholarship Fund. Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa is assisting the family. barnettfamilyfh.com