Margaret G. Grant

Margaret Genevieve Grant, known to all her friends as "Jenny", 91, Topeka, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005 at Brewster Place. Her spirit wanted to stay with us, but her body couldn't make it any longer. She leaves a legacy of friends and family who loved her dearly and shared her love for golf, cards and, most of all, having a good time.

She was born Dec. 4, 1914 in Springfield, MO, the daughter of Charles and Louella Potter Ringenberg.

Jenny played golf with her golf buddies at Lake Shawnee Golf Course, where she was one of the first to too off when it opened in 1972. She won the Lake Shawnee Club Tournament at least 11 times and was a Medalist in the Topeka City Tournament in 1976. In her prime, she could shoot in the 70's and at age 83, she still had a 19 handicap. When asked what she liked most about golf, she said "It's the people that I play with, yes. And the competition!"

And she loved to play cards, too. Poker, gin, pinochle. She loved to play and she loved to win. But mostly she loved the good times. She played in a poker club, oftentimes playing into the night, for over 40 years. All her card buddies will miss her dearly. and her legislature buddies will miss her as well. Jenny worked as a file clerk for the House Minority Leader for 26 years, finally retiring at age 85.

Jenny was the devoted wife of John Spurgeon Grant (her only golf instructor and biggest supporter) for 65 years until his passing on June 7, 1999. Jenny is survived by a family who adored her, including two daughters, Janet Blair of Topeka and Peggy Cobb of Kansas City, two sons-in-law, Merle Blair and John Cobb, two grandsons, Stephen Lauterbach, Jr. and Chris Cobb, a great-grandson, Joshua Lauterbach, and her sister, Jo Potter of Springfield, MO. She was preceded in death by her grandson, John Grant Lauterbach, her brother, Chrles Ringenberg, Jr., and her sister, Dorothy Guinn.

Jenny was a life-long member of West Side Baptist Church.

Jenny was an inspiration to all who knew her. She never said an unkind word about anyone. She always had a positive attitude, an easy smile and a ready laugh. She made friends with everyone she met, with her sweet disposition and twinkling blue eyes.

Jenny's daughters want to say a special thank you to the kind staff at Brewster Place who cared for Mother with such love and gentleness during her final months.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Grant will lie in state after noon Friday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6-8 pm.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.