DERSHEM, Verna Jean "Jeanie" (Crowell) - b.August 10, 1940 - d. December 6, 2020

[patyrn]

Verna Jean "Jeanie" Dershem of Nash, Oklahoma passed from this life on December 6, 2020 at the home of her son after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80.  She was born on August 10, 1940 in Howard, Kansas, the middle child of Ralph and Bethrene (Oliver) Crowell.

Jeanie grew up in and around Longton, Kansas in a large extended family where she was surrounded by cousins on both the Crowell and Oliver sides of the family.  She received her early education at Union Valley School and then graduated from Longton High School with the Class of 1958.

Jeanie Crowell and Eldon Ray Dershem were married on October 5, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Longton, Kansas.  To this union were born Michael, Myles, Monty, and Michelle.  The family moved often as Eldon worked in the oil fields of Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.  Eldon preceded her in death on January 27, 1987.  Following her husband's death, Jeanie received training at Vo-Tech and began a 13-year career at Liberty Federal Bank in Enid, Oklahoma, retiring in 2001.

As a resident of Nash, Oklahoma, Jeanie was a long time faithful member of Bethel Hawley Baptist Church where she served in the church nursery and in other capacities.  She especially enjoyed the members of her Sunday School class.  She enjoyed traveling on Village Tours, was an avid reader, an amazing candy maker, and was invovled in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She was "Grandma Jean" or "Momma Dershem" to not only her family but to many in the community. 

Those she leaves behind are four children, Michael (Sandy) Dersehem of Yale, Oklahoma, Myles (Lisa) Dershem of Nash, Oklahoma, Monty Dershem of Lakevile, Minnesota, and Michelle Dershem of Midwest City, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Warfield (Shannon) Dershem of Stillwater, Oklahoma, LeeDonna Dershem of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Jeremy (Jessy) Dershem of Enid, Oklahoma, Jamie (Justin) Hunt of Enid, Oklahoma, Tyler Dershem of North Hollywood, California, and Makenna (Blake) Greenfield of Lenexa, Kansas; 13 great-grandchildren with another coming in April 2021; a sister, Vera Jontra of Longton, Kansas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Larry Crowell.

Services were held at Bethel Hawley Baptist Church in Nash, Oklahoma on December 12, 2020 followed by interment at Hawley Cemetery.  The family suggests that memorial gifts be made in her memory to Bethel Hawley Baptist Church - Mission, 24078 County Road 800, Nash, Oklahoma 73761 or Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 67 Yale, Oklahoma 74085 or a cause of your choice.

(published in the Prairie Star - 12/17/2021)