Jean Margaret (Peters) Johaningsmeir, aged 96, departed this life on Aug. 26, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri.
Jean was born May 31, 1926, in California, Missouri, to Eda and Clarence “Pete” Peters. In 1928, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Central High School in Kansas City in 1943 and then attended Baker University, where she studied piano and voice.
Jean and Wendell Johaningsmeir were married on Sept. 5, 1948. After a brief stay in Lawrence, Kansas, while Wendell attended school, they made their home in Kansas City, Missouri, where they lived for more than 40 years and were active in church and community life. In 1991, they moved to Port Ludlow, Washington. They relocated to Springfield, Missouri in 2021 to be closer to family.
Jean loved music and she had a beautiful singing voice. She expressed her love of music in many ways. She was a soprano soloist in the church choir in Kansas City, was a member of the church bell choir and performed with several musical groups in Kansas City. In Port Ludlow she sang in the church choir and performed with the musical group Choral Bells. Jean was an active volunteer at her daughters’ schools, at hospitals and the church. She was also an avid needleworker and created many beautiful needlepoint art pieces. While living in Port Ludlow she was involved in the start of a new church and helped create a stunning stained-glass window for another one.
She and Wendell enjoyed dancing, downhill skiing, and travel. They celebrated 70 years of marriage on Sept. 5, 2018, with a joyous gathering of friends and family in Port Ludlow.
Jean was a wonderful homemaker, devoted wife, and loving mother to her three daughters, their spouses and their various dogs and cats.
Jean is survived by her husband of 74 years, Wendell; and her daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela Gresty (Gregory), Barbara Hammer (Steven) and Martha.
