Jeanne was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Born in Springfield, in 1947 to Walter and Margorie Essner, in Springfield Missouri.  Jeanne was the youngest of four, and her siblings, Ted, Carol, and Mary loved to tease her. A lover of literature, Jeanne earned a BA in English and then married Bob Walsh. They had two children, Rob and Stacey. Jeanne and Bob would have completed 50 years of marriage this November. They made a great team. Jeanne loved to travel and explore new places. She could sometimes persuade Bob to go with her by visiting trains.

Jeanne had a big heart and was always helping others. She was a sponsor to many people in need. She was a supportive, non-judgmental listener and gave great advice to anyone who asked. She was also a volunteer at St. Joseph's food pantry.

Jeanne was an avid reader her entire life.  As a younger woman she owned her own children's bookstore, The Book Nook, and her dad Walter helped her with the accounting. She recently admitted that her reading speed had slowed down a little to where it took her about three days to read a book, or  122 books a year. Even at that rate, that would mean she read over 6000 books in her adult lifetime – and most of those were "cozy mysteries".

For her children Rob and Stacey, she was a best friend and confidant. For her grandchildren, she will always be remembered for being strong and fun-loving. Jeanne had a witty, dry sense of humor and worked hard to stay positive through it all. She also loved her dogs Buddy, Fritz, and Teddy.

Jeanne was a devout Catholic. She will be reunited in heaven with her parents and siblings who've gone before her. Her spunk and love will be sorely missed.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, April 23, 2021 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.