Jelken, Jean F. 1943-2020

JELKEN, HARMS, KLEIHAUER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/11/2020 at 12:26:38

Jean Jelken, 76, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's in Sioux City.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A with Reverend Christian Meier officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Garden in rural Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Jean F. Harms was born on November 24, 1943 to Frederick and Emma (Kleihauer) Harms on their family farm in Grant Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa. She attended a local country school until her family moved into Le Mars. She then attended Franklin School and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1962. After graduation she became a secretary working first at Grotewold Chevrolet which later became Chuck Wood Chevrolet and then Nuebel Chevrolet. Jean was united in marriage to Randy Jelken on October 20, 1970 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Jean began doing all the bookwork for Jelken Family Farms and stayed home for a short while with their two children, Jodi and Jeff. Jean then went back to work as a secretary at Bob's Bike Shop in Le Mars. She was there 23 years before retiring in 2008.

Jean was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. In their younger years, Randy and Jean enjoyed going dancing. Jean also enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing puzzles and games with her grandchildren, and playing cards with friends and family. Jean was an excellent cook and will be remembered as being a wonderful caretaker. She loved taking care of her family and friends. She especially loved time with her grandchildren; she made a special effort to attend all their activities and events.

Jean is survived by her husband, Randy; children: Jodi (Tony) Jacobsen of Manson, Iowa and Jeff (Alisha) Jelken of Le Mars; grandchildren: Katelyn Jacobsen, Alex Jacobsen, Aubrey Jelken, and Autumn Jelken; siblings: Geneva DeVos of Le Mars and Denny (Patty) Harms of Le Mars; sister in law, Bonnie Harms of Le Mars; mother in law, Shirley Jelken of Le Mars; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents; father in law, Henry Jelken; brother, Lanny Harms; brother in law, Marv DeVos; and infant nephew, Scott DeVos.

~Funeral Home Obituary