Jessie Mae Gunn

Our onederful little Mother, Jessie Mae Gunn, died September 20, Sunday mourning after a very peaceful day with her arms folded across her chest in prayer. Occasionally she would open her eyes very widely and I know she was seeing something marvelous. She was born in Syracuse, KS, March 7, 1916 and has survived all her immediate family at 99 ½. Those of us who are left to miss her are Joel Gunn and Belinda of Graham, NC, Sylvia Marie and her three †œTexas†� girls; Emrys, Mauve and Sloane, and Riley Gunn and Stellina and their †œAussie†� Grace and Ari; Janet Gunn and Rex Winters of Wheat Ridge, CO; Raymond Gunn (greeted Mom in her passing) and Cindy of St Joe, Ks, Levi and Amber and Ilsa Grace in Golden, CO; and Sylvia Gunn Mierau and Tim of Monroe, WA, Isaac Mierau, Eri and Mizuki of Bothell, WA and Elena Gunn Mierau and Bo Yount of Spokane, WA. Mom loved music her whole life. Her mother, Ida May Singer, bought her a piano when she was 5 years old and she practiced on that same piano well in to her 80's and 90's. Her love of music included her participation in the Lawrence Music Club where she was an active member and where she also performed. She lived most of her life in Syracuse with a few side trips with our Father, Joel Riley Gunn, during World War II and following his seismograph crew. As a single mother, she raised four kids in the 1950's; first working two jobs at Penny†™s and the hospital and then being elected as County Clerk for 12 years. She attended Goodland Technical School and studied computers. She loved her email. For several years she worked in Garden City, KS at Fansler Tires and then moved near Wichita to spend two years helping our brother, Raymond Gunn, who left us in 2010, with his business. Her brother, Kermit Singer, asked her to come back to Syracuse to help with the farming and she retired in Syracuse to spend the next 30 years. In 2007, she agreed to move to Denver to live with Janet and Rex who allowed for her fierce independence and yet she was willing to ask for help where she needed it and graciously accepted it. She did all her own cooking, bathing, washed and cut her own hair and was mental backup for Janet until the last few months. We can tell you story after story of her love and devotion to us and our upbringing in a loving, caring, nurturing family. She loved to cook for us and there was always fried chicken and an angel food cake when we came home. We thank you Mom, for all our onederful lives. You have always been a grounding rock and inspiration to all of us. To all her friends, I can tell you that she loved you all dearly and spoke of each of you often. She had so much fun on the †œbig bus†� trips with Ann and the Community Concerts. We were so bless to have Omar take over the farm and his visits. When we came to Syracuse, the visits from Becky, Inez, Sammy and the Niles family were priceless. Much gratitude to David Stimatze and Marlene and Lynn Ashmore for taking care of the place all these years and all of you who have watched over it. Also to Don Post for all your help as we weekend warriored! In Denver, Janet†™s Bunco group took Mom in with such love and caring. It was the highlight of her month plus Mile Hi Church once a week. I†™m so sorry, if in my stupor, I have left anyone out, but you know who you are;-) All of you, young and old, were precious to her and are to us.