Jean Speaks Gastenveld, 97, of Henderson, Kentucky, left this world on Saturday, December 28, 2024, after a long and fruitful life.

Jean grew up in Union County riding to school on a horse.  She moved to Henderson as a teenager and graduated from Holy Name High School.  Her love of playing Bridge led her to start the first Bridge Club in Henderson.  She was known for her beautiful smile, quick wit, snickerdoodle cookies, and her love for the University of Kentucky Basketball.  One of her last words to us was, "The cats don't play again until December 31st."

Jean was a fierce competitor at cards.  In her later years, she played "Hand N Foot."  Her last game of cards was on December 5, and despite her failing health, she won the game.

She lived a life that saw many technological advances.  Despite her age, she had the newspaper on her kindle, read and sent text messages, and stayed knowledgeable about current events.

Her family knew that they were blessed to have her for so many years and are happy that she died at her favorite time of year—Christmas.  They celebrate her reunion in heaven with their Dad, Ray, and her family and many friends who left this world before her.   She was loved and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond John Gastenveld, Jr.; her grandson, Jack Hutson Payne; and her siblings, Isabel Johnston, Mariam Smith, Jim Speaks, and Sammy Speaks.

Survivors include seven children, Nancy Denton Owen (Bruce), Paula Gastenveld, Katie Leve Stanley (Randal), Jack Gastenveld (Judy), Susan Calabrese (Greg), Ed Gastenveld (Susie), and Marilyn Dorsey (Philip); her brother, Robert "Bob" Speaks; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be at noon Friday, January 3, 2025, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.  Father Christopher Grief will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Louis Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, and until 11 a.m. Friday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home, where prayers will be said at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice or Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Deano Leve, Mason Gastenveld, Nation Dorsey, Brock Dorsey, Ward Brown, and Josh Boyd.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.