Jeannie was born in Ramona, KS to Grover and Magdalena (Stemmermann) Hackler as the youngest of eight children. In seventh grade, the family moved to Junction City where she graduated from JC High School in 1950.
She holds a teaching certificate from St John’s College, Winfield, KS and has taught in Danville, IL, Wichita, KS and Our Savior Lutheran, KCK where she met the love of her life, Dick Beilharz. They got married on April 14, 1961. They loved to travel to far places often ending up on a beach. They were married for 17 years and raised their 3 daughters in the faith of God.
After Dick’s death, he worked at Highlands Elementary School, the American Cancer Society and Andrews McMeel Universal. Her volunteer activities were extensive, including the church, Johnson County Young Matrons, Lutheran Social Services, Indian Hills Country Club, and her daughters’ schools and businesses. As a young mother herself, she brought single mothers from all over Kansas to her home to stay until they had their babies. While president of JCYM, Jean and Dick helped start temporary children’s housing in Olathe, KS.
On March 4, 1989, she married Francis Spreen and they have been married for 34 years. They enjoyed entertaining and exploring the back roads on their travels across the United States.
His pride and joy were his daughters and later grandchildren, he rarely missed one of their events. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion for those she loved and she always signed the card, “I love you dearly.” She often joked to her girls about her growing up, “You’ll miss me when I’m gone,” and she was right—she’ll be sorely missed.
She is survived by daughters Becky Beilharz; Bethany Beilharz Humphrey (Trey); Gretchen Beilharz; Grandchildren: Billy, Elena and Kate Humphrey; husband Francesco; Stepchildren: Scott Spreen (Becky), Doug Spreen (Lynn), Camille Spreen Peeples (Rob); sisters-in-law Ruth Ann (Gene) and Emma (Bob); numerous nephews, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. She is preceded in her death by her husband Dick; her parents; siblings: Roland Hackler (Betty); Mildred Hackler; Eugene Hackler; Robert Hacker; Eunice Hackler Baresel (Art); Daryl Hacker.
Celebration of Life will be held on Monday February 20th, Church 4153 Rainbow Blvd, KCK, Visit 9am, Mass 10am. Donation suggestion to the church or the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
