Jeanette Louise Wegele

Jeanette Louise Wegele, 83, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Alma, died Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Jeanette was born on September 10, 1938, in rural Edna, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Scott and Geneva Bessie (Sands) Rhodes. She attended grade school and graduated from Edna High School in 1956. Later, she attended Kansas State University.

Jeanette worked after high school for the Co-op Refinery in Coffeyville, where she met her future husband, John Edward Wegele. They were married November 12, 1960, in Coffeyville. He preceded her in death on October 27, 1976.

Jeanette and John lived in Alma and then after his death, she later moved to Topeka. Jeanette worked several years as a bookkeeper and accountant for Menniger’s Community Service Office and then worked, until her retirement, for Kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Jeanette was a skilled knitter and crocheter and a member of the Topeka Crochet & Knit Guild. She loved to play the piano and sing in the choir at Christ Lutheran Church where she was a member. Jeanette was an active member of her community. For 25 years she volunteered at Stormont-Vail Hospital with the auxiliary gift shop and by using her Mary Kay consultant skills cheering up patients by giving them makeovers. She also enjoyed volunteering at various other community activities. She enjoyed doing yard work, gardening, and baking, especially cookies, and loved everything Christmas. She was an avid Royals and Chiefs fan and loved attending her grand and great-grandchildren’s events. Her grandchildren all agree that Jeanette was a “hands on” grandma.

Jeanette is survived by her sons; John H. Wegele and Joel A. Wegele, both of Topeka; her grandchildren, Melissa Buescher, (Matt Dykstra), Topeka, Tyler Wegele, McFarland, Heather Noriega, Alma, and Cody Wegele, Lee Summit, Missouri; her great-grandchildren, Kimber, Peyton, Brody, Bennett, Adriana; and her siblings, Ronald Rhodes (Janice), Steve Rhodes (Joy), and Sharon Stalford (Ray), all of Edna, KS.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Reverend Robert Grimm will be officiating. Jeanette will lie-in-state, on Wednesday, beginning at 4:00 pm, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Alma, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Private graveside inurnment in St. John Lutheran Cemetery will be held on a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Stormont-Vail Hospital Auxiliary, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.