Jean Hunsberger

Jean Hunsberger died June 23, 2015, from complications of dementia. She was 83 years old.

Jean was born Dorothea Jean Stevens on August 26, 1931, to Charles Roy Omer Stevens and Cecile Leola Fleming Stevens in Des Moines, Iowa. She spent most of her childhood and young adulthood in Osceola, Iowa, with brief periods in Des Moines, Iowa, and Platteville, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of her parents’ four children, including her three brothers: John Houston Stevens, Retired Lt. Colonel Robert Fleming Stevens, and Billie Rex Stevens. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, grandparents, uncles, and her beloved aunt and uncle, Dorothea Dardis Fleming Ruebottom and Edwin L. Ruebottom of Osceola.

After graduating from Osceola High School in 1949, Jean attended Iowa State University where she majored in home economics and was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She lived in Ames, Iowa, while attending Iowa State and then moved to Des Moines, where she worked for several companies, including Iowa Title Company. She married Warren Maurice Hunsberger on February 14, 1953, and was the mother of four children. She and her husband made their home in Des Moines throughout their marriage, and after her husband retired in 1986, they lived in Johnston, Iowa. Her marriage, family, friends, and home were most important to her, and she excelled as a wife, mother, friend, and homemaker. Jean was a good cook and enjoyed creating meals for her family, but holiday cooking—perhaps Christmas baking—was her favorite activity in the kitchen. Her hobbies also included sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and decorating her home. An avid reader her entire life, Jean was a member of several book clubs. Music was one of her pleasures, and she was a gifted pianist. From high school band to various choirs throughout her life, Jean loved music and enjoyed attending opera performances, symphony concerts and hearing jazz combos. Some of the performances she loved seeing in person were Natalie Cole in concert and the revival of “Showboat.”

Jean was diagnosed with severe dementia several years ago. As her disease progressed, it robbed her of many of the things she loved in life—her family, her friends, and her great love of reading. Jean faced her diagnosis with the strength and determination she showed throughout her long life.

Jean is survived by her husband of 62 years and her four children: Warren Maurice Hunsberger Jr. (Gay), Wesley Robert Hunsberger (Mark Holub), Lauren Hunsberger Welch (Paul), and John Richard Hunsberger (Michele). Jean is also survived by other family members, including her nephew, Billie Jack Stevens of Phelan, California; her niece, Jill Lea Stevens Owens of Henderson, Nevada; and her niece, Gail Stevens Tippett of Naples, Florida. Jean had 14 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Her family will miss her smile, her dry sense of humor, and her loving home.

The family thanks the caring and expert staff at Silvercrest at the Woodlands that made Jean’s last years as comfortable and pleasant as possible, first in assisted living and finally in memory care. She was also cared for by Suncrest Hospice and Senior Helpers. Jean requested there be no visitation or funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions be given to the Alzheimer’s Association in Jean’s name.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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