Unofficial ambassador of Perkins County chosen to be Parade Grand Marshal

By Becky Uehling

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

Jeanie Daiss, 75 of Perkins County, loves her community, and she makes a point to show it every day. This passion for people and her home has led Daiss to be chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Perkins County Fair Parade. 

“I was shocked and very humbled,” Daiss said about receiving the award, and then quickly followed this up with the names of others she considers to be more fitting. 

However, with a dozen nomination letters submitted on her behalf, a wide consensus exists that Daiss is the perfect ambassador for Perkins County. 

Family was a good example

The daughter of Bill and Joyce Long, Jeanie grew up in Madrid and then in Grant, with her family serving as the funeral director for the area. Through this profession, the Bullocks and Longs would touch many lives over many generations. 

Jeanie was so appreciative of having both sets of grandparents around when she was growing up, with each of them positively influencing her with their love of and care for people. 

Along with her parents and maternal grandparents, Ward and Ruby Bullock, she also had the love and guidance of her paternal grandparents, Hubert and LaVerne Long. Each of them was involved with serving the community in some capacity, and demonstrating the skills of service to her.  

The eldest of five

Jeanie is the oldest of five siblings, each of whom submitted a nomination letter for their big sister. John, Barbara, Bev and Joel describe their sister as a selfless giver of her talents and possessions, always thinking of others and going the extra mile to make someone feel loved and cared for. 

A consensus also exists among the Long children, who are each gifted in their own right with speech and language, that Jeanie uses her people centered outlook to welcome all, even strangers. 

“She is very socially inclined and you are not a stranger for too long if you have a chance encounter with her,” John said. 

Her sister Bev recalls that the last time she was visiting Jeanie, the two went to Little Bluestem for breakfast, Jeanie personally welcomed a family from out-of-state to Grant. 

“After they got settled, she went over to their table and said, ‘I just want to welcome you to Grant, and hope you like our town.’ That’s Jeanie Daiss!” Bev said. 

Jeanie’s sister Barbara said Perkins County has an unbelievable ambassador in Jeanie. 

“As many of you know, she has never met a stranger. She will engage anyone in conversation and inevitably the conversation turns to where she lives. As much as she praises Perkins County, it is amazing the population han’t quadrupled!” Barbara said. 

Promoting Perkins County wasn’t always the first thing on her mind. In fact, when she graduated and went away to college in eastern Nebraska to earn a Speech Pathologist degree, she was certain she would never come back, she said. 

However, this all changed when she fell in love with and married a farmer from Perkins County—Bill Daiss. 

Moving Home

Both attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Jeanie and Bill were married in 1969. 

After graduation, the two stayed near Lincoln, living in Beatrice, where Bill continued on with graduate school, eventually earning a Masters Degree in Ag Economics. During this time, Jeanie worked for three elementary schools in Beatrice. She loved eastern Nebraska and the schools she worked for, and so when Bill mentioned returning to southwest Nebraska to farm with his parents, Obert and Marguerite Daiss, Jeanie was not at all excited, but home they went. 

With Bill farming, Jeanie taught junior high English at the Grant Grade School, a position she held for seven years. That was until the couple had their first daughter, Jill, in 1980. A second daughter, Jennifer, would follow in 1984. 

After Jill was born, Jeanie was offered a two-day-a-weekSpeech Pathology job with the Educational Service Unit in Ogallala. She accepted, and stayed at the job for 20 years, retiring in 2010. 

The loss of her love

In 2007, Jeanie lost Bill to cancer. She was devastated, and mourned for many years. It was the suggestion of friend Betty Frederick of Wallace that led Jeanie to a once-a-week grief class in North Platte, which she credits saving her life. With experiencing and coming through losing her spouse, Jeanie said she forever more empathetic to all people and all of their varied life experiences. 

Living by God’s Will

 Besides her family’s examples, and her own life experiences, God also has a firm hold on Jeanie’s life and directs her steps every day. 

She specifically follows the tenants of Galatians 5:2, which tell of what the fruits of a Godly spirit are, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. 

A life-long Methodist, she also lives by the words of the church’s founder John Wesley who said, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

Several people who wrote letters on behalf of Jeanie gave examples of how Jeanie absolutely lives by the Fruits of the Spirit, and doing so, has touched many people in and around Perkins County. 

“Jeanie is always the first to say, ‘Sure, I will help. Just tell me what to do,’” Susan Hanson said in her letter. “Often, I have met Jeanie and she is hurrying to do something for someone. She shares her passion for Christ, her kindness to others, her love of life in such a way you cannot help but do the same and truly be glad to know Jeanie.” 

Rhonda Kroeker said in her letter, “Besides Jeanie’s strong participation in service organizations, the local high school and hospital foundations and her church activities, (both on a local and state level), she is always ready and willing to offer rides to doctor appointments, the grocery store, church and even to Denver. If you are sick, she’s got your back. If you are lonely, she’s going to give you a call or a visit. If you are struggling with life’s issues, she will share her deep faith and lift you up. And all these likely will include a great home cooked meal,” Kroeker said. “She represent all that is great about Perkins County people.”

Jeanie’s brother Joel said, “When I think of all the good people in Perkins County and the ways they lead their lives to make Grant and Perkins County a warm and welcoming community, Jeanie Daiss is the first person that comes to mind. 

“She does countless things to make Grant and Perkins County a great place to be! Jeanie says, ‘Believe There is Good in the World’ and she fulfills it with” BEING THE GOOD in the world,” he said.

Special Honor

Jeanie Daiss will ride in the Perkins County Fair Parade on Saturday, July 22 as its Grand Marshal. She will also be honored with a plague in front of the grandstands during the awards ceremony on Saturday.