Jeanette Stanford

Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Jeanette Aidele (Velthoen) Stanford, fell asleep in our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. Jeanette was born April 18, 1922 to Vernon C. Irma (Larson) Velthoen on a farm outside of Garnett, KS in Anderson County. She attended Judy School, a one room rural school accommodating eight grades. She graduated from Garnett High School in 1940 and was 4-H Outstanding Girl of the Year. After receiving a teacher's certificate from Emporia State University, she taught in several rural schools for four years. During the war years, Jeanette worked in Kansas City for Skelly Oil, TWA and Pratt Whitney. She was employed at Colony, KS Junior High School when she met John G. Stanford. They were married on February 29, 1948. A daughter Judith Kay and son William Walter were born to them while living in Garnett. In 1954, John Jeanette moved to Pryor, OK when John got a job with the new John Deere chemical plant. One son John Leslie was born in Pryor. Jeanette loved being a homemaker and mother. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, gardener and cook. Her skills in the kitchen led her to work as a cafeteria manager at Lincoln Elementary for 14 years. Pryor's United Methodist Church was a very important part of her life for 57 years. She served on numerous committees and was a member of the Challenger's Sunday School Class. Also dear to her were the girls of Girl Scout Troop 528 which she founded in 1957 when her daughter Judy was in second grade at Jefferson Grade School. Jeanette was troop leader for 10 years until her scouts graduated. She was also instrumental in helping her son Johnny to obtain his Eagle Scout award. Jeanette was a member of Oklahoma Food Service, Oklahoma Retired Educators, Daughters of American Revolution, Methodist Movers, 3 bridge clubs, TOPS Pryor Chapter, United Meth. Women, Mary Martha Circle, and a quilting club. Preceding her in death were her beloved parents Vernon (1983) Irma (1990), one brother John Burton Velthoen (1941) and one sister Etta Marline Songer (1988). Survivors include her devoted husband of 63 years, John, daughter son-in-law Judith Phil Dunbar of Kiefer, OK, son daughter-in-law Bill Carol Stanford of Claremore, OK, and son Johnny Stanford of Broken Arrow. Jeanette adored her four grandchildren Jason Stanford of Houston, TX, Christopher Stanford of Claremore, John Levi Stanford of Austin, TX and Shea Aidele Stanford of Stillwater, OK who was also named for her. One of her last visitors was her baby great-grandson Stiel Brock Stanford of Houston. She had a special relationship with her niece Susan (Songer) Foster of Fond du Lac, WI and nephew Vernon Songer of Raymore, MO. Jeanette grew up on Velt-Lar Farm in Anderson County, KS. Her dear daddy Vernon was one of the founders of Shooting Star 4-H Club, and she and her brother sister were active members throughout their formative years. Jeanette loved animals, and raised sheep, chickens and calves. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor her with donations to the Mayes County 4-H Club, at OSU Extension Office, Mayes County 4-H Program, P.O. Box 39, Pryor, OK 74362. May her memory be eternal! Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 1 p.m., in the First United Methodist Church in Pryor, Oklahoma with Reverend Rob Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the Graham Memorial Cemetery in Pryor. The family will receive friends and family at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday evening. To leave a personal message to her family or view her remembrance video, please see her web memorial at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral Cremation Service.

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