Jean Ann(Ward) Budden

Jean Ann (Ward) Budden, 86, of Tecumseh, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2015, at the St. Marys Manor in St. Marys. Jean was born in Medicine Lodge on October 29, 1928, the daughter of Wilmer John Ward, and Ethyl (Mills) Ward. Her parents preceded her in death.

Jean grew up on her grandfather, O. Mills', ranch outside of Lake City riding horses, driving farm equipment and holding her own against her two younger brothers. She began taking piano lessons around age seven, and later learned violin. She retained her love of piano all her life. In 1942, the family bought a farm north of Protection, where her father ran cattle and farmed. She graduated from Protection High School in 1946. She attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, beginning as a music major and later switching to home economics.

It was at K-State that she met her husband, Frederick Herbert Budden Jr. They met at Manhattan's First United Methodist Church Wesley Society square dances. Fred wasn't a dancer, and it took a while for him to realize that Jean had set her cap for him. They were married on June 26, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Protection. Fred worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and after several moves because of his job, they settled in Tecumseh in 1955, where they lived until Fred's death in 2007.

Jean and Fred were active in the Tecumseh Methodist church for many years. They sang in the church choir, and while Fred was a solid tenor, Jean took over as the church's organist for about 40 years. In addition to her musical contributions, Jean joined other women from the church to service dinner at the Tecumseh Kiwanis Club meetings for many years. In 1967, Jean became a bus driver for Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450. She drove a bus for special needs children to various schools and institutions around the county, a route covering more than 100 miles each day. She continued driving until 1986.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; brother, Clyde Ward; a son-in-law, Joe R. Turner.

Jean is survived by three children: Pamela Jean (Budden) Turner of Rossville; Frederick Richard (Rick) Budden and wife Diane of St. Marys; and Sally Ann (Budden) Price and husband Alvie, of Kingwood, Texas. Jean had six grandchildren: Annie L. (Price) Saenz and husband A.J., Chip (Alvie Lee Price III), Rebecca N. (Budden) Stevenson and husband Eric, Richard L. Budden and wife Samantha, Regina Marie (Budden) Stephenson and husband Adam, and Russell F. Budden. She is survived by five great-grandchildren: Connall E., Fiona L., Sean W., and Thorin F. Stevenson; and Cadance Jean Saenz. Another great-grandchild is to be added in June. Jean is also survived by a brother, Richard W. Ward of Protection.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. Private inurnment will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be given to Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 334 SE Tecumseh Rd., Tecumseh, KS 66542, the St. Marys Manor Bus Fund, 206 Grant Ave., St. Marys, KS 66536 or to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Ste. 100, Topeka, KS 66614.