Harrier, Jean A. 1957-2012

HARRIER, HOWARD, COON, BENGE, PEREZ, HINES, TURNER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2021 at 11:45:14

Jean Harrier
1957-2012
Des Moines

Jean A. Harrier, 54, was called home Saturday February 11, 2012. After a long battle with health challenges, she died unexpectedly in her sleep at home in Des Moines. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2012 at First Church of God, 4201 E. Douglas.

Jean was born April 27, 1957, in Des Moines, to James Edwards and Patricia (Howard) Coon. She attended Indianola High School. Jean received her GED a few years later. Jean married Richard Benge in 1976. She traveled the world with Richard while he was in the Army, spending many years in Germany where her daughter, Angela, was born, and also Washington where her sons, Jason and Steven were born. In 1985, they were divorced and Jean raised her three children on her own.

Jean worked in the food service business for over 20 years. Her employers included Simpson College and, her favorite, Fountain West. Jean remarried in August 2009 to Steven Michael “Mike” Harrier, after a longtime relationship of 18 years. After many years of pain, she was no longer able to work. She was currently on disability. She had surgery on Monday, February 5, and had just returned home from the hospital.

Jean’s love, foremost, were her grandchildren, Noah, Allison, Tyler, Bailey (just recently born,) Nathan, Shiane, and Devin. She loved spending time with them all. Jean was so excited about having another granddaughter. Another one of Jean’s loves was her dog, Daisy. They were inseparable. The newest dog-member was Khloe.

Her second passions were her flowers and birds. In spite of her many physical challenges, she looked forward every year to planting a huge vegetable garden along with flowers and putting up lots of bird houses. Once she finished with hers, she would help other people plant theirs. She loved being outside. Camping, fishing, and boating were fun pastimes for her. She also loved doing ceramics, but due to health, had to stop a year ago.

Jean is survived by her children, Jason Benge of Des Moines, Angela Perez of Des Moines, and Steven Benge of Hinesville, GA; seven grandchildren; her mother, Patricia E. Howard; and her siblings, James M. Coon of Newton, Debra (Coon) Hines of Clive, Richard Howard of Creston, and Leslie Turner of Creston.

Jean will always be remembered for her kind heart. She was always doing things for other people. She enjoyed helping others so much. You knew you could always count on her to help if you needed anything. We all will miss her dearly. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 15 Feb 2012.