Jennifer Kay Untereker

Surrounded by love, Jennifer Kay Untereker, 47, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025. Jennifer was born on September 27, 1978 in Pittsburg, KS, to parents John and Karen Untereker. Born the fourth of what would eventually become seven – Jennifer was appropriately placed as the middle child, as her loved ones always affectionately called her the glue of the family.

She was cherished every single day of her life, even as the doctors struggled to explain a host of abnormal symptoms or characteristics. The prognosis was devastatingly grim; probably less than six months to live. They had no idea how truly exceptional Jennifer was, or how determined her parents, family, and extended support system were to give her a long, meaningful life. Their faith and sheer determination got them through some difficult days early in Jennifer’s life. For example, Karen went to great lengths to painstakingly ensure her sweet baby had the nutrients she needed to thrive. And thrive she did, in more ways than one. She was eventually diagnosed, at around six years old, with Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) – a condition best known for causing insatiable appetite. While Jennifer had a disability that inarguably came with physical challenges and developmental delays, she was defined by her one-of-a-kind spirit – a rare gem to be treasured by all who were lucky enough to know her. And though it may sound cliché – to know her, was to love her.

Jennifer was JOY, personified. She loved to play cards, and if she wasn’t actively shuffling cards in her hands, she was never far from a deck (or three). Her family called her a card shark, but to be honest, she often got more excited when her opponent won. She loved to swim, to dance, to go to sporting events/activities; but she also loved the simple things, like going for a daily drive with John to see the motor homes at the local dealership – really anything she could do with others. She was the ultimate social butterfly.

Jennifer had an excitement for life, and for people, that often bubbled over – like she just couldn’t contain it. She could be heard down hallways and through walls when she saw one of her people coming. When she was happy her hands would flutter a million miles a second, and she would ask unending questions – sometimes on repeat – which could occasionally be exhausting but was a truly endearing quality. Some of her key phrases were: “you here?”, “where go?”, “eat (with) me?”, “wait me?”, “I wait you”, “play cards me?”, and “yaaaaaay”.

Her laugh engaged her entire body and was completely infectious. It was virtually impossible to have a bad day when Jennifer was around. She never met a stranger, and it didn’t take long for her to win over even the most guarded individuals. By the end of high school, she had pretty much the entire football team in a routine of giving her fist bumps (or “pounds”) every time they passed her. Many were friends of her brother, who accepted her as part of their crew and showered her with a lifetime of affection – and she soaked up the attention with pure delight.

Jennifer made the world a kinder, gentler, more joyous place. She changed people for the better. Not because she demanded or guilted them into it, but because her qualities were reflected onto them. She shaped the people in her life into who they were supposed to be. She had a way of sensing people; intuitively knowing their heart – and while she loved every single person, she chose the best to be “her people”. She would often refer to her people as, “My ____”. It was a great honor to be one of Jennifer’s people. To be gifted with truly unconditional love, endless admiration, and limitless joy.

Jennifer is survived by many loving and devoted family members, including her Mom and Dad; siblings, John Untereker Jr. (Deborah), Julaine Untereker, Joni Untereker Summers (Clayton), Jeff Untereker (Meegan), Kelly Untereker Lucke (Griffin), and Kari Waring (Kevin); paternal Aunt, Susie Hanson (Rick); and her Hanson and Pelzer cousins.

In addition, she had a gaggle of nieces and nephews, whom she absolutely adored and who adored her back: Matthew, Courtenay, Kyle, Dylan, Parker, Campbell, Hudson, Luke, Blake, Kade, Kole, Ashlyn, Gibson, Beckett, Harper, Ryleigh, and Owen. Aunt Jen loved each of her “niecephews” dearly, talked about them constantly, and delighted in seeing or hearing from them. She particularly loved watching their games, activities, and performances in-person, by livestream, or by video clip (often played on repeat at max volume).

Jennifer lived her 47 years fully, with a childlike innocence, and innate faith in her heavenly father. She was most definitely met at the gates of heaven by Jesus and several of her people who went before her – although she probably greeted them first with a big, “Hi!!!!”, and a loop of her favorite questions. While her people here on earth are heartbroken at the thought of life without her, rest assured, she “wait you”.

Services are pending.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association in Jennifer’s name.