Wanda Geraldine “Jerry” Elliott, age 97, passed away on
January 22, 2022, at Overland Park Regional Medical. She was born in
rural Deepwater, Missouri, on July 20, 1924, to Robert John and Iva May
(Dodson) Kalberloh. Jerry spent her youth growing up on a farm north of
Lowry City, Missouri. While there, she attended Valley Center Grade
School, Lowry City High School and was a member of German Valley Church.
Jerry left home as a young woman to live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Hays, Kansas. But, home and family was never far from her heart and
she returned to Lowry City where she met the love of her life, Ohmer
“Kenneth” Elliott, in Clinton, Missouri. A World War II veteran, he had
just returned from serving in the Asiatic Theater in the Pacific. They
were wed Oct. 3, 1947, in Kansas City.
Because of her husband’s service to the country, Jerry would work
tirelessly supporting veterans’ causes. She held numerous positions in
the American Legion Auxiliary, including Treasurer and Sergeant of Arms
as a Fifth District member—often traveling and participating in state
conventions. Jerry also volunteered her time for Forty and Eight. She
was a 64-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was affiliated
with Unit 21.
Because of her husband’s decorated military career and the fact that he
had been wounded during the war, Jerry would also give time and support
to the DAV. The pair would travel extensively alongside the men Kenneth
once served with in WWII. It was also quite common to find Jerry handing
out the signature red poppies that help to assist veterans from war.
Jerry was employed as an order puller for Sears and Roebuck. Then, Jerry
and Kenneth, along with the help of a business partner, launched
Kenwood Kitchens on Wornall. The pair made the perfect team—Kenneth with
his superior carpenter and cabinetmaking skills and Jerry with her
excellent organizational, accounting, and clerical skills. Kenwood
Kitchens became a prominent business in the Kansas City area during the
1970s and early '80s.
The couple was blessed with a son on July 14, 1970. John Kevin Elliott,
named for his grandfather, brought Jerry one of her greatest joys in
life to become a mother. She immersed herself in his educational,
sporting and school activities. To her, the role of mother was her most
important. She became a member of Blue Ridge United Methodist Church,
alongside her husband and son.
Her broad smile, loyalty to her family and laughter will be sorely
missed by her family. She leaves behind a son, John Kevin Elliott, of
the home. She is also survived by her sister, Norma Lee Davis, of
Raytown, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Mahan, of Clinton, Missouri; a
nephew, Robert (Teresa) Garrison of Little Rock, Arkansas; a niece,
Diana Davis Wright, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and several cousins, great
nephews and great nieces.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, January 31, at Speaks
Suburban Chapel, 18020 East 39th Street South, Independence, Missouri.
The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will at Oak Ridge
Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate to
the Veterans organization of your choice or the Wounded Warrior Project
(support.woundedwarriorproject.org)
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