Virginia “Jean” Edwards was a St.Patrick’s Day baby, born on March 17, 1944, on a farm outside of Blackburn, Missouri, to the late Harry William Rehkop and Virginia Frances Townsend Rehkop. On August 31, 1963, she married Robert Edwards, Jr. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Shackelford, Missouri; they were married for 61 years.
Jean graduated from Missouri Valley College with a degree in Elementary Education. From 1965 to 1984, Jean taught or worked as a substitute in various schools, including Malta Bend., teaching was her passion, and when she saw the need for a preschool in the Santa Fe School district in the 1970s, she started the Winnie the Pooh Preschool in Blackburn, Missouri.
In 1984, she began teaching first grade at Santa Fe Elementary School in Waverly. She was a dedicated educator, who always went above and beyond to meet the needs of the students and her community. Jean did not just teach her curriculum, she modeled to her students and community what it meant to be a good citizen by providing transportation for students during summer school, providing breakfast before the school breakfast program was implemented, spending hours tutoring students during the school year and in the summer, and providing an after- school tutoring program in Blackburn.
She was a lifetime learner and earned her masters from CMSU. She continued taking classes and professional development courses to continue to better herself as a teacher; Jean truly was a life-long learner.. She became the summer school director at Santa Fe and continued in this role until 2007, the following year she retired from teaching. All of her students were her kids and she loved seeing what they accomplished in life. Not only was she a well- loved teacher, but she worked hard for her community. She co-founded the 76 4- H Club so her children could be active in 4-H. She was a 4-H leader for this group along with being a project leaders for numerous projects.
Besides dedicating much of her life to education, her family was always the most important priority in her life. Her six children and nine grandchildren were her pride and joy;, she supported them in all their endeavors. Jean took great pride in her children’s accomplishments both in the classroom and in sports, but she truly beamed when it came to her grandchildren’s accomplishments. Jean had her “spot” in the gym where she could view her grandchildren’s sporting events. Jean’s dedication to her family, community, and the children of the Santa Fe School District is her living legacy.
Jean is survived by her husband Bobby of the home, and six children,: Carrie (Kevin) Emde of Waverly,, Robert Edwards III of Malta Bend, Christopher Edwards of Malta Bend, Susanne (Craig) Kuecker of Blackburn, Donald Edwards of Malta Bend, and Jonathan Edwards of Aullville. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Ryan Emde, Heather (Matt) Engelbrecht, Abigail (Josh) Weber, Kylee Kuecker, Andrew (Audrey) Edwards, Alexander Edwards, Collin Kuecker, Michael Edwards and Lyra Edwards Jean is also survived by three siblings:, Everett ( Donna) Rehkop, of Blackburn, Harry (Helen) Rehkop Jr. of Concordia, and Dorothy (David) Bremer of Manchester, Missouri. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her son Michael.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall with William W. Harlow officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery near Shackelford. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Memorials are suggested to Santa Fe Elementary or Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.