Genevieve "Genny" Hardenbrook

Genevieve “Genny” Virginia Hardenbrook, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord, April 26, 2018, with her family by her side at Kansas City Hospice House.  Genny was born July 3rd, 1921 in Alamosa, Colorado to the late John and Katherine (Katie) Wallace, when her birth interrupted the family's move from North Dakota to Missouri.

Genny loved family gatherings celebrating holidays, birthdays and just quiet times sitting on backyard deck admiring her flower garden, reading her Bible and drinking hot coffee. At the first sign of Spring Mom and Rita were ready to select plants and flowers for Mom’s garden and deck. She especially loved her Mother's Day plants to set on her front porch for all to see—, a hibiscus plant from Steve and a mandevilla plant from Vance.

Growing up on a farm with four brothers and two sisters she became an avid cook. We were always well fed and looked forward to fresh baked peach, apple and pecan pies. She also made jelly and jams from our grape vines, peach and apple trees.

Genny made all the holidays special for everyone, making sure everyone received gifts for Christmas (and birthdays) and the tree and house decorated with all the trimmings. She enjoyed the 4th of July celebrations when we all celebrated Mom’s, Ron’s and Chase’s birthday. We always tried to convince her the fireworks were just her, until a misguided rocket went between her legs when sitting in a lawn chair.

As a family who enjoyed going shopping for antiques and collectibles. We were always on the hunt for collections that we knew she would enjoy — cardinals, Mickey Mouse, KC Royals, KC Chiefs memorabilia, to name a few.

Genny got her first driver’s license at age 46 and began working in retail sales at Woolworths, Ben Franklins at Red Bridge and then worked for Bruce Smith Drugs for 21 years as a cosmetician and manager when she retired at age 79.

Genny enjoyed traveling and sighting seeing, among the many high lights were trips to Elvis’s home, the Smokey Mountains, Biltmore Estate, and Branson. Taking many trips (to Oklahoma, Tennessee, Colorado and Arizona) to be with her boys and their families. She loved the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, the tall pine trees, waterfalls and mountains of Colorado and walking in the cold waters of California’s Pacific coastline. She loved fresh water fishing but catching a yellow tail fish from a party boat was unforgettable for Mom.

Genny is survived by her children, Rita Goade of Kansas City, Mo., Vance Hardenbrook (Marie) of Scottsdale, AZ., Barbara (Karl) Householder of Nevada, MO., James (deceased) Mary Hardenbrook, Pamela (Danny) Hardenbrook of Garden City,Mo., and Steve Hardenbrook of Bixby, Ok; grandchildren Karen Goade Davenport, Robin Goade (Joe) Fraccascia, Teresa (Bob) Morris, Michael (Priscilla) Hardenbrook, Andrew (Jacqui) Hardenbrook, Lee Hardenbrook, Jess (Tamara) Hardenbrook and Genny Hardenbrook; 30 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Genny is also survived by her siblings Evelyn Balk and Leslie Wallace. Genny will be missed by all who knew her.

Genny is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Orville, Oran, Virgil, Verona; her beloved son, James; her granddaughter, Susan Rodick (Barbara); and Ron Goade (Rita).

Genny was a Born Again Christian who loved the Lord and lived her life as an example to all.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 2nd at 12pm and services to follow at 1:30 at the Red Bridge Baptist Church, 4901 E. Red Bridge Rd., Kansas City, MO. Interment to follow services at Longview Cemetery, 12700 S Raytown Rd, Kansas City, MO.