Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister Jenna Rae Garrison departed this life Tuesday, January 18, 2023, at the Graham County Hospital, Hill City, Kansas. Jenna Rae was born to Clifford and Thelma (Cook) Jackson July 16, 1938, on the family farm north of Hill City.
Jenna Rae attended grade school at Graham School north of Studley, Mount Vernon, Hill City Grade School, and Hill City High. Prior to graduation, Jenna Rae became the bride of Delbert Garrison July 31, 1954. Jenna Rae and Delbert were married for 51 years before he passed away April 7, 2005. To this union five children were born: Lonnie, Bonnie, Robert “Bob”, Vicki, and Sherry. Family was very important to Jenna Rae; she loved them and only wanted the best for every one of them.
Getting married delayed Jenna Rae from earning her high school diploma. In 1981, Jenna Rae completed GED courses at Colby Community College. The family was very proud of her, and she was proud of this accomplishment as well.
Jenna Rae’s life and career was a circle of cooking and preparing meals. She was a great cook at home, from making the best breads, fried chicken, homemade noodles, her pumpkin and apple pies were two of the best. And who could forget her fabulous cinnamon rolls! She cooked at Palco High School, Ellinwood Hospital, and the Graham County Hospital. She later worked at the Sewing Nook for Dorothy Morphew and as a dispatcher at the Graham County Sheriff’s Department. However, the most important job she had was providing daycare for her grandchildren while their parents worked.
Jenna Rae had a knack for growing plants. Many said she had a green thumb. Flowers flourished in her yard. Much of her time was spent in her yard, in the flower gardens, and putting bird seed out for her birds. She loved watching the birds enjoy the treats and beautiful landscape from her kitchen window. In her younger days she loved to fish, but only with a cane pole. No rod and reel for this gal! Jenna Rae always seemed to keep her hands busy whether it was crocheting doilies or table runners, and sewing. Many of these items were gifted to family and friends. Jenna Rae also played the piano. She read music but also played by ear. She could really tickle those ivories when she played her Honky Tonk favorites especially “Down Yonder”. A favorite getaway of hers was to the one-armed bandits at casinos.
Jenna Rae was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert; her parents, Clifford and Thelma Jackson; a son-in-law, Bernie Kerbaugh; two brothers, Lilbern and Royce Jackson; four brothers-in-law: Francis Garrison, Bill Garrison, Darrell Garrison, and Doyle Slaven; four sisters-in-law: Donna Peterson, Janice Slaven, Mary Jackson and Marie Garrison.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Lonnie (Vera) Garrison, Hill City, Bonnie Kerbaugh, Elk City, Oklahoma, Robert “Bob” Garrison, Wichita, Vicki Garrison, Hill City, and Sherry (Ken) Seeger, Hill City: six grandchildren: Bridgette (Troy) Ramey, Grinnell, Brett (Angie) Garrison, Hill City, Jacob (Kayla) Kerbaugh, Aurora, Colorado; Robyn (Dylan) Harrell, Elk City, Oklahoma, Jessica Seeger, Topeka, and Clayton (Alli) Seeger, Greeley, Colorado; 11 great grandchildren: Paige and Tyler Ramey, Ryleigh, Raygan, Rayden and Rentley Garrison, Bernadette “Bernie” Kerbaugh, Jack and Henry Harrell, McKennah Seeger and Ofelia Seeger; brother, LaMoyne “Jake” Jackson, Hill City and sister-in-law, Marvalee Garrison, Ness City.
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