Jeanne Avonnelle (Christensen) SPELLMEYER

CHRISTENSEN, SPELLMEYER, NELSON, MCINTYRE, OVEL, HERRICK, JOHNSON, BROWN, WALTERS, BRADY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/11/2008 at 21:26:31

Fort Dodge Messenger, IA
January 10, 2008

EAGLE GROVE — Jeanne Avonnelle (Christensen) Spellmeyer was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on November 16, 1912. She was the youngest daughter of Andrew and Johanna (Nelson) Christensen. Jeanne attended the Eagle Grove schools graduating from high school in 1930. She then attended and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in Cedar Falls, IA. During college she took classes at the University of Iowa and the University of Tulsa, OK. Jeanne then taught elementary school in several Iowa communities including Kingsley, Dumont, Fort Dodge and Waterloo. She married Vernon C. Spellmeyer on February 22, 1946 at her parent’s home on Commercial Avenue. They were engaged in farming east of Eagle Grove for over 50 years. They moved into town in 1985.

Jeanne was a lifelong member of the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school, belonging to a women’s circle and singing in the Chancel Choir. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of White Shrine. Jeanne also served her community as past president of both the Eagle Grove Equality Club and the Cecilian Music Club. Jeanne loved to garden and thoroughly enjoyed sharing her beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables with friends and family. Over the years, she regularly baked sweet breads and cookies, delivering them to the elderly and those who were unable to leave their homes. Her smiling face and gentle ways endeared her to all.

Jeanne was the loving mother of Beverly (Bob) McIntyre of Schaumburg, IL and Janet (Randy) Ovel of Racine, WI. She is also survived by her five grandchildren; Michael (Kirsten) McIntyre of Crystal Lake, IL; Melinda (Mark) Herrick of Aurora, IL; Melissa McIntyre of Schaumburg, IL; Jessica (Tim) Johnson of Washington, D.C.; Kristin Ovel of Racine, WI; and her four great grandchildren; Kayla and Mason McIntyre and Alexis and Samantha Herrick. Her husband, parents, sisters Clara Brown, Dorothy Walters, Lillian Brady, Mildred Christensen and her son-in-law, Randy Ovel, preceded her in death.

A funeral service will be held for Jeanne A. Spellmeyer at the United Methodist Church of Eagle Grove on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will precede the service at the church. Internment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery following the church service.