Emma Jean Hackett (age 93) passed away on May 30, 2019, surrounded by family in her home in Tulsa, OK. She was born on March 26, 1926 in Mutual, OK to John Byron and Mary Francis Grunewald in the home now considered one of the oldest original homesteads still registered in the family name in western Oklahoma. Her formative years were spent on the family farm which survived the dust bowl through the artful farming of John and the family. Jean would often accompany her dad through long nights on the tractor to ensure his safety.
After graduating as valedictorian of the 1944 Mutual High School class, and at her mother's suggestion, Jean followed the call of the U. S. Government into military service to begin training as a nurse for the U.S Cadet Nurse Corps at Wesley Nursing School in Wichita, KS. Jean elected to complete her training in the field of psychiatrics at the Dr. Karl Menninger Clinic in Topeka, KS. There she helped in the treatment of soldiers with battle fatigue. Their plight fueled her passion for mental health. That passion persisted throughout her life. She graduated in 1947 from Wesley as one of 124,065 cadet nurses in the nation.
Jean returned to Moorland hospital in Oklahoma to begin her nursing career and there she met Ted Monhollon, a military captain in Army Air Force who had served as meteorologist in the difficult task of guiding pilots over the Himalayas in the China Burma India Theater during WWII. Ted, after leaving the service, was working the oil fields as a doodlebugger and was staying in a boarding home in Morreland.
They married in Woodward, OK in 1948. Ted's job as a geophysicist led them from Oklahoma to Colorado and eventually to Casper, WY where by 1958 their 5th child was born. They considered a move to Alaska to explore the Prudhoe Bay oil fields but Jean discouraged that idea and they transferred back to Oklahoma and eventually Richardson, TX. Ted passed away in 1976 and Jean decided to return to the home that she and Ted had kept in Tulsa. In 1979 Jean married Bill Hackett, an old acquaintance of Ted's, who had also lost his spouse. Bill passed away in 2008 and Jean remained at their residence until her passing.
Jean dearly loved her family, and was ever present at family gatherings and events for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had deep concern for her family and friends and always sought to help them wherever she could.
Throughout her life she enjoyed playing the piano, a talent she developed while playing in the Methodist Church in Mutual. Inspired by her childhood roots she devoted much of her time tending to her yard and flower garden.
She was an ardent pursuer of wellness and continued to study physical and mental health throughout her life. She worked as a registered nurse in various hospitals in Texas and Oklahoma. After retiring Jean began volunteer work at Parkside Mental Health Clinic. She also volunteered with her husband Bill making home deliveries for Meals on Wheels and they were both actively involved with the Irish American Club in Tulsa. They enjoyed travels to see family and friends in the US and abroad.
Jean is preceded in death by her siblings, Dale Grunewald, Max Grunewald, and Pauline Braley, her husband Ted Monhollon, her second husband Bill Hackett, and her youngest son Kim Monhollon.
She is survived by daughter Susan Monhollon (Myles), Sons Rob Monhollon(Elise), Mark
Monhollon(Rosie), Blair Monhollon(Ann); two Step-sons Mike Hackett(Marylove), Tim Hackett(Jim) ; Step-Daughter Cathy Ramsey(Steve); 12 Grandchildren; 9 Great Grandchildren; 2 step-Grandchildren; 1 step Great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parkside, Inc. (Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic), BYS-Derek Frazier, 1620 E. 12th, Tulsa, OK 74120.
Memorial service will be 4:00 P.M., Thursday, June 13, 2019 at All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa and a reception will follow. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at
www.moorefuneral.com
.