SAVAGE, Jean (STRICKLAND) PEARCE

STRICKLAND, PEARCE, SAVAGE, CONROY, CAMERON, KIMBALL, SELMAN, MUELLENBERG

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/18/2013 at 19:29:44

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
January, 2004

Obituary - Jean (Strickland) Pearce Savage
May 02, 1921 ~ May 08, 2003

MASON CITY — Jean Strickland Savage was born May 2, 1921. She died May 8, 2003.

She was married to two good men: Kenet Pearce, father of her four children, and Leonard J. Savage, father of her beginning to think.

But she was happiest with her final partner, James B. "Pete" Conroy, father of her listening and talking back (sometimes).

Jean's sisters are Anne Cameron of Mason City and Mary Kimball of Piedmont, Calif. They are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Strickland, longtime Mason City and Clear Lake fans.

Jean was an editor, a good one. Jean's formal education was a B.A. degree at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., in 1942. She started book editing in California, continued freelancing in Washington, D.C., and ended up reading every word the Heritage Foundation published for many years to be sure it said exactly what was intended.

In 1989, Jean and Pete retired to nine idyllic years on the shores of the Rappahannock River in Virginia, during which time Jean renewed her lifelong love affair with duplicate bridge. They took two marvelous freighter trips, one down the east coast of South America and the other across the Atlantic and through the Mediterranean Sea. In 1999, Jean and Pete returned to live in Mason City.

Jean's children are Anne Selman, a gifted kindergarten teacher, wife of Robert Selman and mother of Matthew and Jesse; Susan Pearce, a lawyer and longtime companion of Kurt Muellenberg; Bill Pearce, a carpenter and builder, father of Jean Marie and Hannah; and John Kenet Pearce, entrepreneur and founder of MediaMap, husband of Kath and father of Emily.

A cradle Episcopalian, Jean was disappointed in the turn toward liberality and secularzation taken by her church, but her faith remained strong throughout the years.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Gifts in Jean's memory can be made to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 Second St. S.E., Mason City, IA 50401.

Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., is in charge of local arrangements. Major Erickson Funeral Home, (641) 423-0924.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2013