Jean Farmer

Our beloved Mother and Nana, Nelda “Jean” Farmer aka Jean Penkala nee Wyatt, passed away peacefully to her eternal reward, September 24th, 2024, just minutes into her 85th year.

Jean was born in Wardell, Missouri and moved to Mt Clemens, Michigan at the age of five. The Salvation Army Church was an integral part of her childhood. She was an accomplished roller skater, lounge singer, and bowler. Jean spent a quarter century as a devoted AJBC American Junior Bowling Congress coach that the kids loved so much. Over the years, she worked in secretarial and administrative assistant positions, her favorite being at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Jean really had fun working for Art Van Furniture later in life. She was such a social butterfly. Her cubicle was her happy place where she was surrounded by charming little tchotchkes she enjoyed collecting and with years of school and sports photos of her cherished grand and great-grandchildren. Wherever she worked she was known for her professionalism and pleasant telephone voice. Jean would even match her nail polish to her outfits. She also had the most beautiful cursive writing and thought it a travesty that her grandchildren were not learning it in school.

Family and Friends, Laughter, and Love, these are the things she lived for.

Family who went before:

Frank Wyatt, father

Lila Revyn nee Shick, mother

Leonard Penkala, first husband, and Michael’s father

Wayne Farmer, second husband, and high school sweetheart

Sandra Perry, sister

Dante Murray, great-grandson

Family left behind:

Kelly (Jeffrey) Murray, daughter

Michael (Mary) Penkala, son

Edward (Jackie) Farmer, step-son

Jim (Jennifer) Farmer, step-son

15 Grandchildren: Zachary Murray, Kyle (Andrea) Murray, Hope (Kyle) Lyon, Angelica Diaz-Kluth, and JoJo Murray, Cameron Penkala, Andrew “AJ” Penkala, Ryan Penkala, Dylan “Rocket” Penkala, and Jenny (Aaron) Krebs-Jaroneski, Nicholas Farmer, Gabriella Farmer, Brendan Farmer, Mallory Farmer, Nathan Farmer.

8 Great Grandchildren: Haylen Lyon, Atlas Lyon, Hazel Murray, Adeline Murray, Meto Jally, Airam Jally, Jake Jaroneski, and Luke Jaroneski

Patrick (Carol) Wyatt, brother

Frankie Wyatt, brother

Nieces and nephews: Grace Cutino-Miller, Anna (Cal) Perosky-Sieloff, Julie (Dan) Reisner, Freedom “Kristin” Carleton, Jeff (Chrissy) Wyatt, Darren Wyatt, Jennifer Wyatt, Lance Wyatt, and Shawn Wyatt

A memorial service for Jean will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48035, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 PM.