Joan "Mariah" Von Stein
February 13, 2016
Joan “Mariah” Von Stein
Des Moines
Joan L. “Mariah” Von Stein wore many hats during her 68 years. She was an important spiritual leader in the community and provided nurturing and support through her retail shop and counseling over the past two decades. Among her many interests and callings were politics, historic preservation, Jungian psychology, old world religions, herbalism, gardening, astrology, and drumming. She was an extraordinary mentor, counselor, teacher, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was born November 30th, 1947, to Paul Alan Emmeck and Lenore Elizabeth Peters in near Jefferson, Iowa. Joan’s family moved with her father’s hospitality career to several Iowa towns during her childhood. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966.
Joan earned her BA degree from Drake University in the early 1970’s while raising two young boys as a single mother. After graduating, she worked with the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus in the mid-1970’s. She then went on to run for political office in 1978, open an antique lighting store, and publish the Iowa Legislative News Service in the early 80’s. During this same time, Joan was one of the pioneering forces behind the historic designation and preservation of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Her passion for Carl Jung’s teachings took her to San Francisco’s California Institute of Integrated Studies where she achieved a Masters in East-West Psychology during the 1990’s and practiced Wicca in the Reclaiming tradition with her mentor and friend, the writer and earth activist Starhawk.
She returned to Des Moines and started Ancient Ways, an eclectic bookstore and counseling center. During the past 18 years, she enriched the Des Moines community by introducing herbalism, African drumming, Jung-based personal counseling, and classes in many ancient practices.
Her friends fondly remember her gliding walk, her generous wisdom, and her voice. She had an aesthetic sense which gave her extraordinary abilities when it came to gardening and creating beautiful spaces. Mariah was truly unique and will be missed by many.
She passed from this life on February 13, 2016. Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth and Donna, her mother, and her father. Surviving immediate family include sons Todd and Darrin Von Stein; grandsons Michael and Noah Von Stein along with their mother, Jill; sister Norma Jontz and her husband Dewey; nephew Craig Jontz; and niece Debbie (Jontz) Mazza. Also surviving are many friends and community members who supported and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 243-5221. Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in south Des Moines on Sunday, February 21st. There will be a potluck from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony. At her request, memorial contributions in care of Jon A. White Memorial Wildlife Habitat and Meditation Garden, West Bank, 1601 22nd St – Suite 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Wendy Riley (Czarina)
02/26/2016
I have known Mariah for 25 years plus, she is an icon and mentor for all of us in Des Moines. I thank her so much for opening Ancient Ways. She will be missed.
Laura ( ladylaura)
02/19/2016
Joan Mariah was my first high priestess .I studied under nether her .when I first started Wicca . I am so saddened by her passing .and now I have no one to turn to get advice from . May the GODS AND GODDESSES KEEP YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED .)0( )0(
Lady Isadora
02/18/2016
Thank you for your years of dedicated service to the Craft community, Sister Mariah! Blessings of the Great Goddess of Ten Thousand Names upon your eternal spirit. Rest in peace and reincarnate in glory!
"All that comes from the Lady's hand One day must be given back again But the grain that falls to the Reaper's blade Into the Bread of Life is made." --Lady Isadora, from the funeral hymn "Eternal Child", *The Queen of Earth and Sky*
Jana Hunt
02/18/2016
My Dear Sweet Friend Mariah,
Deep Peace to You
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you
Sharon Gradischnig
02/18/2016
What a bright and shining soul is Jo! always insightful, a thoughtful contributor and considerate in sharing her knowledge whether political, spiritual or social. She is missed, even by those of us who have lived at a distance for many years. Condolences to her family, family of day to day good friends and to those who are members of her large spiritual family.
KD Lightner
02/17/2016
Our dear Jo -- She has given us so much, meant so much to all of us. It will never be the same without her; and yet, I know she will always be with us in spirit and love. Condolences to both her family and to her spiritual family.