Jacqueline Conklin

Jackie Conklin, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

She was 85 at the time of her death. Her full maiden name was Jacqueline Kathleen Bendure. The eldest of three children, she was born in Mack, Colorado on August 23, 1934, and graduated from Coolidge High School. She was married twice during her lifetime; first to Jack L. Conklin, with whom she had four children; and later to Charles Kiefer. A talented musician, Jackie was involved with studying, performing, and teaching music throughout her life. Her first love was Ragtime, but she also loved anything from the Roaring Twenties. Just a few of her activities were studying voice at Washburn University; both performing with and directing various musical productions staged by the Topeka Recreation Commission; performing with the Gaslight Theatre on the Fort Riley Army base, several years of playing piano at the Mid-America Fair in Topeka; and directing the senior citizens choir "the Starlighters" as they toured nursing homes and community centers to entertain residents. She composed and arranged music of her own, as well. Jackie's interests covered a very wide range, but her favorites other than music included gardening, reading, cooking, knitting, and crochet. She adored children and was never happier than when one or more of her grandkids and great-grandkids came to visit.

She is survived by three children: Donald Mark Conklin, John Douglas Conklin, and Kathryn Rebecca (Conklin) Land; siblings James Bendure and wife Dee, Albert Bendure and wife Jayne; grandchildren Jonathan Hagans, Deedric Hagans, Michael Colbert, Brooke Givian, Christopher Land, Timothy Land, and Rebecca Meseraull, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both parents, her two ex-husbands, great-grandson Isiah Hagans, and daughter Jennifer Conklin.

She is and will always be greatly missed.

To leave a special message for the family visit the guestbook below.