Obituary of Jean Jarnagin

Jean Jarnagin passed Monday September 17th, 2007 in Denver Colorado, one month before her 81st birthday. We now celebrate the memory of Jean Darlene Lipsett Jarnagin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Jean was the second of four children born to Sheldon Butler Lipsett and Hattie Fern Johnston on October 15th 1926 in Buffalo, Oklahoma. At the age of 3, the Great Depression began and the family moved a year later to Ashland, Kansas where she grew up and attended school. The family endured these hard times, which shaped the strong beliefs and values that made Jean the individual we all respected and loved. She met the love of her life, Dean Jarnagin at a barn dance in Protection, Kansas where he figuratively and literally swept her off her feet. On September 15, 1943 they married in Ventura, CA. Two weeks later, Dean was shipped overseas for a 21 month tour of duty in Pearl Harbor and the Gilbert Islands. Jean remained in California living with her uncle Paul Johnston and family. She soon returned to Erie, Kansas to continue her job as a telephone operator. Upon Dean’s return in June of 1945, they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas until his honorable discharge in February, 1946 and then lived in Coldwater, Kansas. When summer came, they moved to Arapahoe, Colorado before finally settling in their farmhouse in Seibert, Colorado in 1948. They worked hard at their cattle ranching and wheat farming while raising their two children, Sheldeana Marie and Kevin Jay. In 1958 they purchased their home in Seibert. Jean and her best friend, Vivian Hatfield, spend many hours steaming off wallpaper, painting and hauling plaster to complete the remodel of the new home. In September 1993, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Dean and Jean both shared a great hard work ethic that carried through their devoted marriage of 62 years. Jean outlived Dean by 2 ½ years, during which time she often spoke of how dearly she missed the love of her life. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two sisters, Fern Breiner and Virginia Carlson. She is survived by one brother Marvin (wife Jean) Lipsett of Ashland, KS, and a brother-in-law, Sam Breiner of Denver, CO. A daughter Sheldeana Dreher and husband John and children: Christopher Reid and wife, Stephanie , Michael Reid and Aaron and Tyler Dreher all of Glendora, CA. Son Kevin Jarnagin and wife Shirley of Flagler, CO, David Jarnagin of Gainsville, FL and Ryan and Jackie Jarnagin of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She cherished seeing pictures and videos of her first great grandchild, Cora Reid, born Sept. 8, 2007, daughter of Christopher and Stephanie Reid. Jean will be missed and remembered by us all including several cousins, nieces and nephews. Jean was remembered as an amazing wife to Dean and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Dances and card playing were a highlight of earlier years and time was always made available to enjoy and keep the many, many friendships they developed. Jean thrived on working to settle in the plains of Colorado and always being helpful and supportive of others who were working to get their start in these communities. Jean’s kitchen was as big as her heart – always providing nourishing meals to hard working individuals who’s labor of love began many family homesteads. Her dedication and honesty were a true blessing. Jean enjoyed her membership in Eastern Star and many church activities. Hospitality and great cooking were always some of Jean’s contributions. Friends, young and old, knew that they were always welcome for a friendly visit, a generous cup of coffee, a delicious meal or to spend the night in a home warmed by stories of friendship and good times. Jean’s church and faith were very important to her. The rebuilding of the church was a top concern and she requested that any donations be sent to the building fund of her new church. Funeral services for Mrs. Jarnagin were held on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 10:30 am at the Trinity Hill Church in Seibert with Pastor James Ruetsch officiating. Burial followed in the Seibert Cemetery in Seibert. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the church.