Jean H. Dale passed away peacefully Saturday January 8th, 2022. She was born to Frank and Jessie Hampton on May 30th, 1933 in Altoona, Iowa. Her mother died just weeks later leaving Jean to be raised by her Aunt Charlene Simbro on a farm in Altoona.
She lived an average life of an Iowa farm girl during the thirties and forties. While she was in high school she met her future husband Billy. It was not until after Jean graduated and Billy returned from the war that they got married on April 3rd of 1952.
Jean and Bill started their family on August 2nd, 1956 with their oldest son Billy and continued to have six more children throughout the following years.
During these years Jean was involved in a number of groups and activities involving her children, family, and friends. Some of the most memorable gatherings were Saturday nights with Dottie and Mac MacDonald where they played Yahtzee and Cribbage. These Saturday game nights went on for nearly twenty years.
She also toured the country on bus tours with some of her dear friends. A few places that she traveled to were New York City, Niagara Falls, Mackinaw, Kennebunk Port and many more places. Along the way she collected small silver spoons and thimbles, leaving her with a collection of memories to accompany each one.
Jean worked for North Western Bell until she had her first child. After she had Billy, she stayed at home and raised the kids and took care of the house. In the early 90’s Jean went back to work at Methodist Hospital. This is where she was able to bring her true love of sewing from a hobby to a profession.
After retiring not once but twice she decided to stay home and take care of her grandchildren and sew with her friends at her weekly sewing group at church. Jean had a lifelong passion for sewing. She generously donated her time and expertise by creating quilts and crafts of all kinds and gifting them to her family, friends, the church, hospital and anyone in need.
She is survived by her beloved brother, Butch (Carol) Hampton, her seven children Billy, Rhonda, Cindy, Frank, Robert, Roger and Mary and her grandchildren Zachary (Kelly), Charla (Bryant), Billi Jo (Jonathan), Alisha, Faith, Frank Jr., Danielle, Cody (Chelsie), Zach, Jessa, Madi, Heaven, Sky (Asael), and Sommer (Max).
On Saturday January 15, 2022 at Pleasant Hill Free Church (4555 Parkridge Ave Pleasant Hill, IA) there will be a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. accompanied by a graveside service at Mitchellville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to Pleasant Hill Free Church or the Mitchellville Cemetery.