Denise Jackson

January 14, 2015

Denise Jackson

Service Details

Denise Jackson, 64, passed away due to complications from pneumonia Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

Denise was born February 20, 1950 in Des Moines, the daughter of Robert M. and Lela (Lustman) Wilkinson. She was raised in Ottumwa, IA and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1968.

Denise held her master’s degree in education and retired in June of 2010 from Heartland AEA where she was a teacher for twenty years in the Shelter Care Education Program. She taught math and science at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, formerly called Meyer Hall. Denise was a dedicated teacher. She was committed to the students, accepted them for who they were, and continually encouraged them to do their best. Her organizational skills combined with her balance of discipline, empathy, and compassion made her an especially good teacher in the detention setting. When one of her associates was describing Denise as a teacher, he said, “Professor McGonagall – she’s a good one.”

Denise loved being a grandmother to her granddaughter Shae, and enjoyed traveling and quilting. She was a very active member of Altoona Christian Church.

Denise is survived by her husband, Paul; sons, Kevin of Des Moines and Ryan of Pleasanton, CA; sisters, Patricia Lee (Baylor) House of Perryville, AR and Beth Ann Hendred of Ottumwa, IA; mother, Lela Wilkinson of Des Moines; granddaughter, Shae; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert M. Wilkinson and brother-in-law, Anthony Hendred, Sr.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2015 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 20 at Altoona Christian Church, 3620 NE 72nd Street, Altoona. Concluding ceremony and interment will take place at Laurel Hill following the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to Altoona Christian Church in memory of Denise.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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