Obituary for Jean Marie Wilson

Jean was born on Sept 7, 1939, at the home of her aunt in New Haven, Iowa to Harold and Edna Slagle. She spent her growing years in Riceville, Calendar and Garner, Iowa where she enjoyed school and playing on the basketball team.

While employed at a local diner in Garner, she met Bob Wilson who was working temporarily in the area. She noticed he was quiet but “liked that he dressed real nice.” He loved the strawberry malts she made just for him as well as her sweet smile and beautiful personality. They dated briefly until Bob’s job was completed and he had to return home. A year later she joined him in San Bernadino, CA where they wed on November 10, 1957.

Jean enjoyed singing, gardening, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. She was never too busy for a pleasant conversation with a friend or someone she just met. She had a remarkable gift in connecting with people and drawing them out with her sincere warmth and kindness. Added to this gift was her amazing memory where she could remember details that made others feel special. She was always eager to invite friends over for a meal or an overnight stay.

Jean read and loved the Bible from her early years. Her search for greater understanding of Bible truths and a religion that lived by them led her to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 60 years. Her children cherish memories of her deep spirituality as she quietly read the Bible for hours at a time, pen in hand marking scriptures that touched her heart. She then spent countless hours volunteering her time to encourage and study the Bible with others and as a result made many devoted lifelong friends. Her children very much appreciate the legacy she left them as a loving devoted wife, mother and friend who was always kind, loyal, hardworking, humble, and loving.

Those left to cherish memories of Jean are her sister Nancy (Frank) her children Dave (Lori), Tim, Robert (Jackie), Sue, and Carolyn “Wink” (Nick). She was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Isaac (Brigid), Alexis, Erick (Sara) Rebeca (Zach), Elizabeth, Jordan, Collette (Nate), Cory (Kristi) and Randall (Krystal). Jean was further blessed with 11 great grandchildren: Lily, Alexander, Oliver, Violet, Carrie, Cammie, Marley, Wyatt, Laine, Dorothea, and Joaquin. She was devastated to lose the love of her life, Bob on October 28, 2021, but she endured the loss with strength and courage.

Jean’s beautiful smile, pleasant laugh, and kind gentle demeanor will be fondly and forever remembered and deeply missed.

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. on June 20, 2026, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4060 4th St. SW, Mason City, Iowa.

Zoom Service Information: Zoom ID: 381798724. Password: Daily@text