Jessie Weldon

Jessie Bruch Weldon, 82, of Independence, peacefully returned home to God on Saturday, March 7, 2009. A Home Coming Celebration will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Stone Church. Visitation is from 3-5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Cremation with inurnment in Mound Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Graceland University Music Department or to the Community of Christ Stone Church. Jessie was born December 5, 1926 in Genoa, CO to Page John and Velma (Milem) Bruch.

Jessie graduated from High School in Cameron, Missouri and attended Graceland College, where she was active in The Crescents and met her future husband, Clair. She completed her education at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, receiving a BS in Education.

Jessie and Clair married in 1950. As a minister’s wife, she supported the church as a Sunday School teacher, organist and choir director. She worked alongside her husband for more than 40 years, sharing her own special gifts of ministry in Mexico, Argentina and the United States.

She loved children and teaching, and was an elementary music teacher for 27 years, retiring in 1987 �" after teaching in the Weslaco, Texas and Independence, Missouri school systems. Her excellence is teaching was recognized by her membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, the honorary teachers sorority.

Jessie was a devoted member of the Stone Church, as well as the American Needlepoint Guild and Delta Kappa Gamma. She found artistic expression as a needlepoint stitcher and received numerous awards for her beautiful work. She donated many pieces, including an entire Christmas tree with hand stitched ornaments to charitable organizations �" especially to the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) in Independence.

Family, friends and the honoring of her spiritual heritage was central to her life. She blessed many with her warm hospitality and generosity of spirit.

Jessie was beautiful inside and out. Wherever she went she had friends or soon made them. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and teacher who brought joy to the lives of many.

Jessie is survived by her daughters Dawn Beye and husband Kirk, Kim Bozich and husband Stephen; grandsons Travis Beye and fiance’ Colleen Gatliff, Ryan Beye; brothers Bill and Virginia Bruch, Bob and Patty Bruch, Ron and Caryl Bruch; sister Helen Pearson-Smith and husband Luther; and many extended family and many special friends. Jessie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Clair E. Weldon in ’07; and by sisters Fern and Marjorie.