Jolene Nesselhuf

Jolene Nesselhuf,72, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 in the caring presence of her family, following a brief illness. Although Jolene is no longer among us, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, insight, and service.Jolene was born March 29, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to Pauline Heuser and Joe Kirshe. Always grateful for her education, she completed her Masters Degree from Kansas State in 1969 and completed hours for her Bachelors Degree at both Baker and Kansas State Universities where she made treasured life long friendships in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She loved football and could hold her own in discussions about plays and execution. "EMAW!"Her early education at Nelson Elementary School on the campus of UMKC was always valued as was her discovery there of her athleticism and natural ability and excellence in sporting activities. (She often humorously recalled her mothers frustration for her greater interest in ball gloves over dolls. She later used her mitt and mask to practice pitching with her son. ) Having joined the boys with a girl friend in early elementary pick up games, she loved the competition until the 1950s rite of passage to "little league" was denied her because "I was a girl." This came to be a formative moment in her life and the basis of her passionate advocacy for womens rights and her celebration of Title IX legislation passed in 1972.Her career as a phys ed teacher began with the opening of Shawnee Mission South High School and continued at Hong Kong International School from 1970 to 1973. Active in many elementary education volunteer activities for her children, she later re-joined SMS as a paraprofessional in the learning center, supporting many kids in their quest for completing high school. Her husband Joe was smitten at a party for singles in October 1969 and was filled with wonder of her continuing interest in him. The couple married in June 1970 and shortly thereafter set off for a three year assignment with Hallmark in Hong Kong, making lifelong friends from the beginning.Jolene was a person of faith. She was a charter member and Sunday school teacher at Leawood Baptist Church. In recent years, she was active in service and attendance at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.She was pre-deceased by her parents, Pauline and Joe and will be fondly remembered by her surviving family, husband Joe, daughter and son-in-law Kristen and Randy Stoll Denver, CO , son Jeffrey P.V. KS, and grandchildren Mia C. Stoll and Andrew J. Stoll who will miss their "MamaJo" very, very much.Her husband and children are planning a private service for immediate family this February and a Celebration of Life at the residence this springinvitations forthcoming this winter for an April event.Remembrances can be sent to the Haitian relief program at the Church of the Resurrection or friends favorite wildlife/animal protection fund.Her life was unknowingly summed-up by herself from her often written post-it notes left on a friends door or the kitchen counter. "Bye, love you."