Jean Marie Kjos 1947 - 2007

Jean Marie Kjos passed away peacefully on November 29, 2007 in Salinas, California.
She was born Jean Marie De Witt in Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 18, 1947, was confirmed at Tabor Lutheran Church in Pueblo, Colorado, graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 1965, and from the University of Southern Colorado in 1969.

She majored in English and taught second grade, then in special education, before taking over her father’s business, Pueblo Blue Print, after his death. She owned and operated that business until 2003.

She was an accomplished auto racing photographer with hundreds of credits in sports car racing publications. She loved travel, counting amongst others, visits to Russia, Afghanistan, Europe and the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

She was companion, best friend, and wife. The light of my life, and a light in every life she touched.

And please, a twinkle in my eye

I got the well-worn, leather-bound Bible out of the nightstand. On the cover, embossed in gold, Jean Marie De Witt. Inside, inscribed, a presentation for Confirmation at Tabor Lutheran Church, Pueblo, Colorado, October 29, 1961.

It’s the leaf facing that inscription that gets my attention, though, in Jeannie’s own hand – recognizable even many years ago – is this poem, so much better today than anything I could write.

God, give me sympathy and sense
And help to keep my courage high.
God, give me calm and confidence
And please, a twinkle in my eye.

The sun shows after every storm,
There is a solution for every
Problem, and the soul’s
Highest duty is to be of
Good cheer.

Through the beauties of
Nature and growing things one
Sees the everlasting
Presence of God.

I’m hoping and praying for improvement this morning.

Hope and Prayer

Jeannie is ill. She was hospitalized on November 5 for very high blood sugar. So she is (newly) diabetic. It was frightening indeed while she was in intensive care over that first week, but in the following week plus – through last Wednesday – she was seemingly on the mend. On Thanksgiving day, though, there was a turn for the worse, as some swelling returned where it had improved, and she was less responsive, but aware and communicating. Heather and Courtney saw her that day.

The diabetes complicates chronic liver disease. That’s the problem now. Treatment started two days ago includes a steroid along with increased insulin (the steroid pushes up the blood sugar). We’re still hoping for a positive response from this treatment. The past two days have not been good. Jeannie was unresponsive enough that she was not able to eat at noon today. Medications continue via a GI tube. We’re unfortunately having to prepare ourselves for the worst while still hoping – and praying – for the best.