Jennie Verna Harkins

Jennie Verna Harkins, 96, of Pomona, Kansas, passed away at her home Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 19, 2018, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Funeral services will be held immediately following at 2:00 P.M. at the mortuary. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona. Jennie was born Thursday, April 26, 1921 at Horton, Missouri, the daughter of Alex Preston and Sarah (Hoover) Bell. She has lived in Pomona, Kansas since 1928, a near lifelong resident. Jennie attended North Pomona and Diamond Ridge schools in rural Pomona. Jennie was united in marriage with Charles “Chub" Harkins January 2, 1943 at Pomona, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 11, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Sarah Bell; daughter, Ellen Brannan; brothers, John Bell, George Bell and Bert Bell; sisters, Ellen White, Hazel Brantley and Mattie Ross; and son-in-law, Frank Hontz. Jeannie was the last of her generation in the Bell and Harkins families. She is survived by her sons, Charles Harkins of Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Donald Harkins and wife Goldie of Richmond; daughters, Lillie Hontz of Prairie Village, Sarah Rogers and husband Dave of Kansas City, Kansas, Molly Henricks and husband Al of Lawrence, and Peggy Harkins of Pomona; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and special friend, Margaret Nicholson of Ottawa. Jennie often referred to Margaret as “one of my girls”. She was a devoted homemaker. In her early years she worked in a café and nursing home. Jennie was an avid Kansas University basketball fan and loved working in her flower garden and enjoyed humming birds. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Jennie’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com