Jean Marie (Znidarsic) Plumb, previously Matzeder, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Prairie Village, KS, on Wednesday July 29, 2026. She was 78 years old.
She was born in Kansas City, MO, to parents August and Cecilia (Frick) Znidarsic. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Independence, MO, in 1966 before earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Jean began her career as a reporter for the Independence Examiner. She later earned her law degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, beginning a distinguished professional and legal career that would span more than five decades.
Jean spent nearly 30 years with Hardwick Law Firm, where she specialized in public finance law. She took great pride in her work and in the communities, it helped shape. Among her many professional accomplishments, she served as co-bond counsel for the City of Kansas City on the construction of the new Kansas City International Airport terminal. Shortly before her retirement, she was honored with The Most Outstanding Bond Deal in America because she arranged financing for a hospital on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, a fitting recognition of a career marked by excellence and dedication. Jean was a member of Mensa for more than 50 years, where she served on Mid-America Mensa’s board of directors and enjoyed the intelligent conversation of many friends.
Jean married John Matzeder on June 12, 1971. She later married Ken Plumb on September 1, 2019. Together they built a joyful life filled with travel, ballroom dancing and the companionship of their dog, Blarney.
She is survived by her husband, Ken Plumb; a daughter, Melanie Jackson and her husband, Sam; cherished granddaughter, Layla Jackson; her brother, John Znidarsic and his wife, Karen; beloved dog, Blarney; and many extended family members and friends.
Outside of her career, Jean found happiness in reading, working puzzles, traveling and ballroom dancing with Ken at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She was currently serving as a trustee on the board of Saint Mary’s University in Leavenworth. She approached life with curiosity, intelligence, and a quick wit.
As someone with a degree in journalism and a lifelong appreciation for words, Jean would have found a few edits to make to this obituary. She probably would have started by asking to shave a few years off her age, then circled a few adjectives in red ink, added more colorful language and reminded us that every story deserves a better ending.
We can only hope that this captures, even imperfectly, the life she shared with all of us.
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