Wilcox, Mary Jane Kendall - 1918-2011

CHRISTENSEN, DOAK, KENDALL, PRIME, SAILOR, WEBSTER, WILCOX

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 10/31/2024 at 14:05:38

Mary Jane Wilcox of Polk City died Saturday, October 8, 2011, at home. She was 93.
A quiet and gentle soul beloved by all who met her, Mary Jane lived much of her adult life in Mount Pleasant where she and her husband, Everett, operated Wilcox Welding Service.
Born Mary Jane Kendall on January 30, 1918, in Racine, WI., she graduated from high school in Quincy, IL., where she met Everett. They married on September 16, 1939, in White Plains, N.Y.
During World War II, the couple traveled the country towing a house trailer as he moved to wartime projects as an ironworker. In 1945, Everett and Jane chose to make their home in Mount Pleasant, where, in addition to their business, he served on the city council and she was active in church affairs. They loved square dancing, flying small aircraft, boating on the Mississippi River and entertaining friends and family at a getaway on the Des Moines River near Keosauqua.
After Everett's death in 1986, Mary Jane moved to be with her family in Johnston, where she became a fixture in the lives of her then-teenage granddaughters, acting as a chauffeur for their many activities. She enjoyed nature, motor home trips with the family and, more recently, playing with great-grandchildren. She was a member and sang in the choir of St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church.
Mary Jane is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou (Richard) Doak of Polk City, and granddaughters Jennifer (Dan) Webster of Urbandale, Mary Lyn (Pete) Sailor of Ames, Amy Prime of Newton and Danielle (Zac) Christensen of Grimes, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines, Iowa. The family will greet friends at the church from 6 to 7 p.m. prior to the Mass. Memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue League or Friends of Iowa Public Television.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Thursday, October 13, 2011, page 5B