Jill Marie Raine

Jill Marie Raine, 47, passed away on June 8, 2015. Although she battled with cancer, Jill never gave up on living courageously. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Rd. in West Des Moines, IA. 50265. Services will be held Friday, June 12 at 3:00 PM also at Valley Church, with reception to follow.

Jill was born in Dubuque, IA on March 30, 1968 to Dale and Bette Schrobilgen. She graduated from Wahlert High School and then Loras College with a degree in Sociology. Jill worked as a teacher’s assistant at Clive Elementary for the past 8 years.

In 1991 Jill married Bill Raine, a partnership that proved to be paradoxically and uncommonly wise and wonderful. The couple was blessed with two remarkable daughters, Maren and Nora. Jill was a person who knew what made her heart smile and so encouraged her girls to listen to their own, leading them to explore the relatively esoteric worlds of fencing, rugby and rock climbing.

Jill was a lover of children and the outdoors, especially enjoying the Colorado mountains; she was a skier and biker, having participated in Iowa’s RAGBRAI many times. Prior to working for Clive Elementary Jill ran a daycare out of her home for many years. She was known as an excellent cook and was counted on by extended family to annually nourish them with an ample supply of her delectable caramel bars. Jill shared with her siblings a love of Bruce Springsteen. The four Schrobilgen siblings, Greg (the smart one), Dan (the cool one) Scott (the nice one) and Jill, (the girl) attended The Boss’s 2012 concert in Wrigley field creating a lasting memory for the whole family.

The same openness to possibility that is Jill’s legacy to her girls led her to be the co-founder of Relay Iowa, a run (not a race) across Iowa ostensibly to build shelter for orphans across the world. With Jill’s efforts behind her husband Bill’s inspired vision, Relay Iowa has become a metaphor for a life well lived. It is not a race to the finish, but an extended relay of individuals journeying very closely together, sustaining each other as they stretch the limits of their physical endurance, test their mental toughness and draw upon their emotional well in a place beyond their comfort zones, for the sole purpose of improving the life of another human being.

Jill touched so many lives with her easy laughter, her infectious smile, her sometimes quiet but very powerful presence, and her gift of making people feel comfortable. She lived her life fully and well, for others, with great joy and happiness.

She is survived by an extensive family; her parents, Dale and Bette Schrobilgen; husband, Bill Raine; daughters, Maren and Nora Raine; brothers, Greg (Kathleen), Dan (Jodi) and Scott Schrobilgen; nieces, Erin, Grace, Ava, Heather, Katie, Nicole; and nephews, Malachy, Rory, Nate, Jason, Tony and Tony; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Relay Iowa at www.active.com/donate/relayiowa2015. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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