Jeanne Henderson

Jeanne Pearl Beverly Henderson, long-time Concordia, Kansas, resident, died October 9, 2021 in Missoula, MT at 103 years old. She was born on May 12, 1918 in Greenleaf, KS to Martha (Padgett) and Earl Beverly. The next year the family moved to Concordia, KS, where Jeanne lived most of her life. Her father was a conductor on the Missouri Pacific passenger trains, her mother a homemaker. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Concordia, joining Girl Scouts and learning the piano. After graduating from Concordia High School in 1936, Jeanne left for nurses’ training at Research Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO. In 1939, upon graduating from Research Hospital as a Registered Nurse, she married Orville R. Henderson. They settled on the Henderson family farm near Concordia, and Jeanne began her nursing career at the old Hospital on 5th Street. Jeanne and Orville would host German POWs that worked on the farm during WWII. In 1945 she gave birth to Robert E. Henderson. The family moved into Concordia in 1951, where Jeanne would continue her nursing career in various capacities, until finally retiring in 2001, after more than 50 years of service. Divorced in 1967, Jeanne and Orville remained friends and supported each other to the end of their lives. After Orville’s death, she moved to Missoula, MT to be close to her son and his family.

Jeanne was dedicated to nursing and modern medicine. She served first at St. Joseph’s Hospital; then worked for Dr. John Lathrop, MD; before finally returning to the St Joseph’s Hospital, later the Cloud County Health Center. She was particularly proud of her work training nurses and spearheading the Coronary Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She loved her Concordia community, as much as her work. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Research Nursing Alumni Association and the Kansas State Nurses Association. As pianist, she greatly enjoyed music and treasured the Community Concerts and the Brown Grand Theater. She joined reading groups at the Frank Carlson Library, cheered on the KU Jayhawks, travelled with friends and family, and was never without a dog at her side or on her lap.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and Orville. She is survived by her son Robert (Meg) Henderson, her granddaughter Marika (Jon) Sears and great grandson Rowan Sears of Missoula, MT, cousin Gary (Sue) Padgett, Greenleaf, KS, and cousin Calvin (June) Padgett, Kansas City, MO.

The family is very grateful to the CNAs, nurses, physicians, and staff of the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of Missoula and the Village Senior Residence for their care of Jeanne in her last years. Their work is difficult, requiring special skills, patience and love.

Jeanne has been cremated and will be interred at Maplewood Cemetery near Greenleaf, KS. Memorial services will be held in Concordia at a later date yet to be determined. Jeanne did not die of COVID19, in part because she was fully vaccinated. In Jeanne’s memory, you can thank every health care worker you know and make sure you and your families are fully vaccinated against COVID19 and other infectious diseases. Suggested memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, the Brown Grand Theater, and the O’Connor Animal Shelter.