Libby Jennings

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Elizabeth Ann (Wyrsch) Jennings, age 89, Joplin, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Wildwood Senior Living after a sudden illness.

Libby was born August 18, 1933 in Springfield, Missouri, daughter of the late Leo M. Wyrsch and Nell Marie Wyrsch. She graduated from St. Agnes High School and then attended Southwest Missouri State where she met her husband, Robert (Bob) M. Jennings.

While attending college, Libby worked at various businesses in Springfield and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She married Bob on September 11, 1954 in Springfield where they started their family.

Libby and Bob moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1964 to begin their journey as Owner/Operators of several McDonald’s franchises within the Four State Area. As a result of their success, and with a focus on family, Libby and Bob were instrumental in establishing Ronald McDonald House of the Four States in Joplin in 1998.

In addition to raising her family of five, Libby was very involved with Ronald McDonald House for the last 25 years, as well as her philanthropic involvement with many area service organizations. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Bob, her husband of 43 years, daughter Julie Lewandowski, granddaughter Jessie Lewandowski, grandson Blake Aggus, as well as a brother, Leo M. Wyrsch Jr. and sister, Sarah Jane O’Conner.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Teresa Brown (Gary) of Joplin, Patty Coss (Joe) of Rogers, Arkansas, and LeAnn Jennings of Joplin, son Mike Jennings (Anji) of Joplin, son-in-law Mike Lewandowski of Afton, Oklahoma, a brother, Bill Wyrsch (Rhonda) of Branson West, Missouri, and a sister, Mary Greenwood (Tony, deceased) of Joplin, 15 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Friday, May 5 from 10am to noon at St. Mary’s Church, Joplin, with a funeral mass immediately following. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Joplin, with grandsons R.J. Jennings, Joey Lewandowski, Tyler Aggus, Jaryd Coss, grandsons-in-law Ronnie Allgood and Wes Johnston serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons-in-law Kole Karol, Micah Turk and Hayden Hickam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made directly to Ronald McDonald House of the Four States in Joplin, or Ascent Recovery Residency in Joplin.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin.