Jean Frances Larson

   Jean Frances Larson, 91, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, in Leawood, Kansas with family by her side.

   Jean was born September 26, 1930, in Springfield, Missouri to the late Vernie C. and Willie M. (Shook) Hood. She was the middle of three beloved children, sister JoAnn who died in infancy and brother Jack.

   Jean attended Springfield High School and St. John’s School of Nursing, also in Springfield. She was one of three nurses recruited for the first class of the newly formed St. John’s Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurse Anesthetists, graduating in 1955. Jean continued her career as a nurse anesthetist for many years, proudly representing the ground-breaking role, and training countless future nurse anesthetists for work in surgery rooms around the country. She retired in the mid 1990’s.

    On November 23, 1957, Jean married Leonard H. Larson and one and five years later, they welcomed daughters to their family to whom she was a loving and devoted wife and mother. After the birth of her second daughter, she switched jobs to be a homemaker for her young family, returning to her anesthesia career after ten years. Jean and Leonard were very happily married for 44 years until Leonard’s death.

    Jean was a longtime member of Campbell UMC in Springfield where she taught children’s Sunday school, served as a president of the UMW and was a member of the Lucy Witherspoon Circle 5. She transferred to Leawood UMC after moving to the Kansas City area in 2006. During her life she cared for others, not only through her career choice, but volunteering at both churches and local food pantries until the pandemic prevented her service. Jean was happiest spending time with family and friends, sharing her love for them through baking, candy making and crocheting. Her home cooked meals, cookies, muffins, and peanut brittle prompted many smiles.

    Jean leaves to cherish her loving memory her children Missy Larson and Lorna and Danny Sanders, all of Kansas City, her brother and sister-in-law Jack K. and Fran Hood, of Springfield, six nieces and nephews and their spouses, and 17 great nieces and nephews, their spouses, and children.

   A visitation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 7 at Campbell UMC on Republic Rd. in Springfield, Missouri with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield. Reverend Joshua Schmidt will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Village Church Food Pantry, 9960 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 66206 or Crosslines Resource Center, 615 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO.

   Thank you to her devoted care givers, the nurses, aides and staff at Brookdale Leawood Stateline and Brookdale Hospice.

Care has been entrusted to Muehlebach Funeral Care in Kansas City, MO.

      Well done, good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23