On the 29th of November 1935, Drue Wood hitched his best team to the front of his car and towed his laboring wife, V. Ferne (Fiensy), through nearly impassable roads and flooded creeks to the home of his sister, Georgie, where he paid the price of “one fat calf” for the successful birth of his daughter and his pride and joy, Rena Jolene Wood. Born a child of the Depression era, Jolene exuded grit, determination, strength, and independence in a small frame and would have already loathed this obituary.
Raised an only child across from her best friend, Barbara Ann Benning, Jolene attended Snow Creek Elementary for her early years. She later moved to California then returned roughly a year later to live at the home her parents would stay in for the rest of their lives, farming, raising dairy cattle, horses, and chickens, and scraping out a hard earned living. Wanting to continue with her friends at Snow Creek, she opted to ride a horse to school daily to cover the distance. She later attended and graduated from Labette County High School and went on to Kansas State University at Manhattan. After completing her required coursework, she transferred to Kansas State Teaching College at Pittsburg where she earned her teaching credentials in 1956.
All the while she was being courted by one dashing suitor, Ray Flaharty, who would go on to become the love of her life. The two married on the 29th of June 1956 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Kansas. Some may remember this as one of the hottest years to ever bless Southeast Kansas while others may recall the digging of many a pond dam; Jolene told of her candles melting in the church without being lit but she still stunned in a gorgeous, layered, and long sleeved lace gown. This gown made repeat appearances at her 25th and 50th wedding anniversary parties. The happy couple set out on an exciting 6 week honeymoon that followed his wrestling contract from Fargo, N.D. south until the wedding of his older brother, Richard.
They made their home in Wichita, KS for 12 years where they played tennis together and she worked as a primary grades teacher until the birth of their first child, Michaela Ann in 1959. Grant Raymond (1961), Shaun Wood (1963), and Vanessa Nanette (1965) all followed to round out the family.
From 1968-2002, the family made their home in Westminster, Colorado (near Denver) where Jolene completed the raising of their 4 children, immersed herself in volunteering with St. Anthony’s hospital gift shop and Ministry to the Sick and Homebound, and working as a lector and Eucharistic Minister within the Masses at St. Mark’s. As her children began graduating from high school, Jo decided to pursue a 4 year degree in Accounting from Metro State at the Front Range campus. She also started and ran “Flaharty Travel Agency” with Mickey and Vanessa where they enjoyed reading the paper and eating Mountain Man Nuts.
After closing the travel agency, her adventurous spirit lead her to embody the traits she valued most: a devoted family matriarch visiting for every birthday or holiday, a devout Catholic visiting historic religious sites around the World including a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, and being a capable and independent World traveler. She solo visited places like Tanzania for safari, South Africa, much of South America, Australia where she hiked Ayers rock, and the pyramids of Egypt. She rode camels and elephants and made her way without blinking an eye to what others may think. She also maintained her health and fitness as an avid jogger and speed walker including roughly 10 years of solo participation in the high altitude Bolder Boulder 10k each Memorial Day weekend.
Jolene is survived by 6 phenomenal grandchildren that brought her immense joy and happiness (and may have lightened her already gray hair a few shades): Bobi Jo, Tara, Erin, Lance, Paddrick, and Raeleigh. She also welcomed, adored, and cared for her 12 wonderful great grandchildren: Kyndra, Lillie, Daymien, Sloan, Gage, Declan, Vivvy, Conner, Teagan, Fiona, Lucy, and Killian. She doted on many of them as her own and swore they kept her young well into her 80’s. She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Ray; parents, Drue and Ferne; and her infant siblings Baby Wood (1937) and Michael D. Wood (1951).
Friends may call on Thursday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.
A Rosary Vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday the 11th of April 2024 at Holy Name Catholic Church.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday the 12th of April 2024 at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father James Schibi officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
The family will receive friends following the burial for a luncheon at Holy Name Catholic School Gym from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
