KNICKERBOCKER, Jean Winifred (Banks) - b. March 30, 1921 - d. November 2, 2016

[patyrn]

Jean Winifred Knickerbocker passed away November 2, 2016 in Sedan, Kansas at the age of 95.  She was born on March 30, 1921 to Jesse Walter Banks and Lois (Marshall) Banks in Akron, Kansas, a small town near Winfield, Kansas.

In a brief memoir Jean wrote to her grandchildren, she reflected on her life as a child raised on a farm even though the family moved around "a lot".  She grew to have a great appreciation for the kindness and neighborliness of small towns. 

In high school, Jean met the young man who would become her husband.  She and Kenneth Knickerbocker were married in Moline, Kansas on May 28, 1939 and had three sons, Philip, Mark, and David.  Kenneth secured a job on the Santa Fe Railroad which necessitated moving again and again - Wichita, Newton, Topeka, California, and then back to Moline.  After Kenneth retired from the railroad, he and Jean enjoyed 30 years of what she described as "retirement ventures".

After Kenneth's death on April 1, 2008, Jean married Glen Ridgeway on January 16, 2009.  As an active member of the Moline Christian Church, Jean held the office of Treasurer for the Moline Church, was a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship, and was a member of the Homemaker's Extension Unit.

Jean is survived by her sons, Philip (Jane) of Madison, Alabama and Mark (Debbie) of Pahrump, Nevada as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.  She is preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth and by her second husband, Glen Ridgeway; her sister, Lora Harrison; and her youngest son, David Knickerbocker.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held Monday, November 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Moline Christian Church in Moline, Kansas.  Interment will follow at the Moline City Cemetery.  Family suggests memorials may be made to Gideon International or the Moline Christian Church and may be left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, Kansas 67349 is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)