In Memory of

Jean

Novotny

(Spitsnogle)

Obituary for Jean Novotny (Spitsnogle)

Jean Novotny passed away Saturday, September 1, 2018 at her home in Platte City, MO, at the age of 69 while surrounded by her family. Jean was born November 7, 1948 in Odell, NE to Earl and Monica Spitsnogle. Raised on the family farm near Odell, Jean was a 1966 graduate of Odell High School participating in volleyball, cheerleading and band. After high school, Jean studied secretary skills at the Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, NE. Jean married Ronald Novotny on January 28, 1967 in Beatrice, NE. They then moved to Kansas City, MO where she worked as a Secretary for Western Auto and Hallmark. In 1972, they moved to Parkville, MO and later to their rural home near Platte City in 1983. In her early years, Jean loved to travel with her husband visiting Europe, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and throughout the U.S. She was a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Platte City where she served as Office Coordinator, Stewardship Chair and school board member of Our Savior Lutheran Academy. She was also actively involved with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and was a Kansas City LWML Convention Organizer in 2014. Jean also served as a board member for the Platte County chapter of Thrivent Financial. Most importantly Jean was a dedicated homemaker, raising her three children. Throughout her children’s school years, Jean volunteered for numerous activities including: PTA, receiving the “Sparkle Award”, the West Platte Booster Club, receiving the “Dedication Award”, FBLA, 4-H, high school and college dance teams and weekly assisting at the West Platte school library. Jean could always be seen supporting her children and grandchildren while unofficially being awarded their biggest fan. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, working puzzles, taking boat rides at their Lake of the Ozarks house and spending time with her grandchildren. Jean was a great friend, caring daughter and sister, loving wife, devoted mother and doting grandma. She will be cherished forever and lovingly remembered.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by: her husband of 51 years, Ron; her children Stacy (Ryan) Braden, Rone (Thad) Gustafson, and Trevor (Chayne) Novotny; her grandchildren Taylor Wetzel, J.D., Jerzey and Justis Braden, Tyce, Gracie, Graham and Tess Gustafson, and Kage, Cruz and Coralai Novotny. She is also survived by four siblings and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2018 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Platte City. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 8 also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions graciously accepted by the family for their charity of choice.