Jeannine Marie (Bruce) King, 86 of Lee's Summit, MO. peacefully breathed her last August 7, 2023 with family. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 25th at Our Lady of the Presentation Church 130 NW Murray Rd, Lee's Summit, MO. A private burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to the Bishop Sullivan Center. www.BishopSullivan.org

Jeannine was born March 15, 1937, and was the first child daughter of Robert and Tess Bruce. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert Bruce. She is survived by her brother Fr. Terry Bruce and Sister-In Law Gloria Bruce as well as her 5 children Terry King, Traci Meirath, Mike King (Sandra), David King, Steve King (Abby). "Nana and Pa" are also survived by 16 grandchildren: Amanda, Britaney, Shane, Alexander, Dylan, Jacob, Samantha, Isabella, Maria, Trevor, Brianna, Mya, Alton. Kennady, Kolton and Riley George and 5 great grandchildren Corbin, Lily, Ollie, Christopher and Felicidy, all of Kansas City. Jeannine graduated from St. Peter's grade school and Hogan High School and moved on to the University of Kansas before moving to Colorado. It was 1960 in Denver where she met the love of her life, George Alan King, fresh out of the Army. At the Rathskeller where Al saw Jeannine walking in and told his friend next to him, "See that girl? I'm going to marry her" and so after a year or so of courtship they moved to Kansas City in 1962 and were married at St Peter's where it all began.

Her brother Fr. Terry said "Jeannine managed five children better than one. They taught her that when they fall down the world doesn't end. They get up. Her first children taught her how to mother and not worry when they scratch their knees." And there was a lot of falling down going on with 5 kids born in 8 years. It was always diapers and driving and cleaning and cooking (she couldn't say no when asked to bake cookies or cakes for this and that event) all non-stop with an occasional game of bridge with friends (she played a pretty mean game of bridge). We didn't know until later she played basketball and softball in school, but we always knew she was a dancer and participated in recitals and pageants. She loved dancing (Al didn't) and of course her music. As the kids got a little older, she took a job at a pharmacy we think for a discount on the family meds. There's a story about her going to Oregon with some friends from Denver to go can peas after college, which is ironic because there is also a story where she was fired from Putsche's on the Plaza for spilling pea soup in a customer's lap many years earlier. Jeannine liked all things KU (Rock Chalk) and enjoyed the family banter pro-KU or not. She enjoyed Chiefs parties with her friends and loved the Royals as well as the infinite number of games her kids participated in.

Jeannine was a woman of faith, family and friends. As the story goes, Jeannine was named after St. Jeanne Jugan founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor with which her and her mother Tess volunteered time with. Jeannine and Alan were actively involved in their parishes: Christ the King, St. Catherine's, St. John Francis Regis, Holy Spirit and Our Lady of the Presentation. Jeannine and Alan were deeply involved with Marriage Encounter and Teens Encounter Christ. She was a Eucharistic minister, and she had a soft spot in her heart for the St. James Food Kitchen and especially The Bishop Sullivan Center. Jeannie and Al enjoyed an endless supply of very dear friends and family who filled their lives with much joy, entertainment and love. Jeannine is loved and will be missed. She is now in Peace with the Lord and once again Alan gets to see her make a grand entrance.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278