Jerrilyn "Jerri" (Jones) Steffens Garland, age 92, beloved and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2022 in Clearwater, KS.
Jerri was born in Anthony, KS and grew up in Clearwater, KS. She was married to George Steffens, the father of her five beloved daughters from 1946 to 1976. They raised their daughters in Conway Springs, KS. Jerri later moved to Wichita where she met her 2nd husband of 10 years, Lawrence Garland.
Jerri went to work at Cessna Aircraft in 1964 and retired in 1992. She was the stockroom supervisor for the last seven years of her employment at Cessna.
Jerri enjoyed music and singing. She always sang in the church choir and was a member of the Sweet Adelines, the Harvest House Singers and the Funtastics.
She was also very involved in politics. She helped charter and served as the first president of the Sumner County Women's Democrat Club. She was also a member of the Sedgwick County Democrat Club and the South Side Democrat Club of Wichita. She volunteered to work at many election polling locations over the years. She truly enjoyed her involvement in politics and the people she met along the way.
Jerri was always ready and willing to help others by volunteering for many charitable organizations, most notably the Lord's Diner, The Timbers and the Kansas Association for the Blind.
Jerri was a devout Catholic and a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish. She was involved in many church groups including the Altar Society and the Social Justice Committee. She enjoyed ushering at Sunday Mass and always looked forward to that.
Jerri was a social butterfly and loved going out with her ladies. She was a member of the Red Hat Society which promotes a passion of fun and friendship. She was a joy to be around and was loved by all who knew her. Her love of life and infectious belly laugh were contagious. But most of all, she loved being with her daughters and their families. When Jerri made a friend, they were a friend for life.
We mourn the physical loss of a special force in our lives knowing that the echo of that force will always be with us. Rest in Peace, Momma Jergar.
The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude and appreciation for Jerri's caregivers at Victoria Falls Skilled Nursing in Andover, KS, Advena Living of Clearwater and Good Shepherd Hospice who always treated her with tender loving care and utmost respect.
Jerri was preceded in death by husband Lawrence Garland; parents Hollie and Gladys (Baker) Jones; sister JoAnne Jones; brother Jack Jones Sr.; step-daughter and son-in-law Betty and Bruce Jenkins.
Jerri is survived by daughters Janie Mairs and husband Tom of Wichita, KS, Melody Scheel of Winfield, KS, Robin Simon of Clearwater, KS, Denise Steffens of Wichita, KS, and Georgia Ravenstien of Wichita, KS; brothers Tom Jones of Claremore, OK, Bill Jones and wife Wanda of Wichita, KS; sister Betty Rooker of Peoria, AZ; grandchildren Angie Kame, Holli Morris, Jared Scheel, Chris Scheel and wife Susan, Aimee Simon, Heather Lambert, MaKenzie McMutrie and husband Blake; great grandchildren Brittany Kame, Morgan Woodyard, Emeri Early, Cayden Scheel, Easton Scheel, Zane Watt, Zaira Simon, Rhianna Lambert, Clint(Buddy) Lambert, Knox McMutrie; a host of nieces and nephews; and many friends.
A viewing and visitation for Jerri will be held Monday, November 28, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 6:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E 13Th St N, Wichita, Kansas 67206. A Funeral Mass will occur Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 430 N Broadway St, Wichita, KS 67202. Interment will occur following the Mass at Lakeview Cemetery, 12100 E 13Th St N, Wichita, Kansas 67206.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Garland family.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lord's Diner, The Arthritis Foundation of Kansas or Good Shepherd Hospice.
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