Jeanette Claassen McGill
September 8, 2021
Jeanette Ann Juarez Claassen-McGill was born on September
26, 1980, to Santos Maribel Juarez, in Houston Texas, and died at her home in
Newton, Kansas on September 8, 2021. At
age 2-3, she attended the church preschool where her committed Christian
teacher recognized Jeanette’s particular gifting…that of a lover! She was baptized at the Church of the
Redeemer Episcopal, Houston, and adopted by Sara Claassen on May 9, 1988. They memorized and spoke Psalm 23 together
at that service.
Jeanette grew up in Houston, graduating with honors for
community service and for academic achievement in the top 10% of her class at
Austin Public High School. She
especially enjoyed a class in photography, as well as being an assistant to the
school nurse. She enjoyed times out at
“Aunt” Joanne Giles’ ranch in Cuero, Texas, with the bluebonnets and watching
the falling stars. Summers were times to
take swimming classes and participate in competitions. She was a great swimmer, best at the butterfly
stroke. Animals were always her
delight, including cats, dogs, a rabbit and some ducks. Living in an hispanic neighborhood, she was
informally mentored in Mexican cooking by Marie Soto and later became a
world-class gourmet cook herself.
As a teenager Jeanette participated in two mission
trips. The first was with the Episcopal
Church to a home for orphaned girls in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The second was with the youth group from Good
News Church in Houston to Mexico.
Her first job after high school was working for an orthotics
company as receptionist and helping children get fitted for braces, and various
supportive devices. Later she was
employed by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.
After moving to Kansas, she took classes at Hutchinson
Community College, Newton branch, and also worked there as a receptionist. On June 9, 2018, she and Travis McGill were
married in Hesston, Kansas. She was a
member of Kingdom Life Ministries Church, Hesston. Jeanette was a great lover and this was
obvious in her love for the Lord. She
loved Jesus deeply, encountering Him through worship, prayer and reading the
Word, and would encourage others in their walk with the Lord as well.
Jeanette passionately enjoyed cooking. It was her favorite recreation. She loved to share her gourmet meals with
everyone. It gave her a lot of pleasure
when people liked her cooking. We
remember her friendly, outgoing personality, demonstrated by generosity, love
and care for others. Despite dealing
with many challenges related to diabetes including numerous hospitalizations
over the years, her love and care for others remained.
She is survived by her husband, Travis McGill, Kansas; mother, Sara Claassen, Kansas; Aunt Eleanor
Hiebert (Ken), Pennsylvania; Uncle Mark Claassen (Lillian), Texas; and numerous
cousins, nieces, nephews and godkids.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 14,
2021 at Kingdom Life Ministries in Hesston, Kansas with Pastor Scott Miller
presiding. A graveside committal will be
precede the memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Cemetery in
Newton, Kansas. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Petersen Funeral
Home with the family receiving friends 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Travis McGill to help offset
expenses
