Jacquelyn (Jacque) Rambo

Jacquelyn (Jacque) S. Rambo was born in Sonoma, California on March 12, 1951 to John and Lillian Sponseller. Jacque passed away peacefully at the Edgewater Retirement Community in West Des Moines after a 7-year journey through Alzheimer’s disease. Jacque entered God’s kingdom on December 20, 2021.

Jacque was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Du Valle High School, she obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Piano Performance from the University of California, Hayward. Jacquelyn then attended USC in Los Angeles and graduated with a Master Degree in Voice and Voice Science.

A gifted and nurturing teacher, Jacque taught voice at USC and Pasadena City College. In 1981, Jacque moved to Des Moines to take on an Associate Professor role at Drake University, and later taught voice at Iowa State University. She judged several state and regional voice competitions, always teaching with kindness. Jacque was an accomplished concert singer and recitalist, performing with the Pasadena City Chorale, the Robert Shaw Chorale, the Quad Cities’ Symphony Orchestra, and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. She also performed regularly in sacred spaces, from the Episcopal church to the Reform Synagogue.

In the mid-1990s, Jacque reignited her interest in quilting and fabric artistry. Her creativity, skill, and passion for her art won her many blue ribbons from the Des Moines Quilters’ Guild, shows in northeastern Wisconsin, and at the Iowa State Fair.

Jacque always said the greatest job she ever had and the one she loved the most was raising her two amazing daughters, Katy and Christina. She met her best friend and soulmate, Mel, in a pottery class in 1991. They were married in 1993, and spent their marriage traveling the world, eating chocolate, and laughing together every day.

Jacquelyn is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Mel; her daughter, Katy Lindhart of New York City, Christina (Jon) Phelps of Rochester, Minnesota, and her 8-week old granddaughter, Hattie Phelps. She is also survived by her sister, Dyan Sponseller, of Parma, Idaho, and her sister-in-law, Carole and brother-in-law Jan Kranak of Cherry Valley, Illinois. She also leaves behind many wonderful friends and voice students, whom she cared for deeply.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on December 22, 2021, at the Edgewater Retirement Community in West Des Moines, IA. There will be a visitation beginning at 10:30 am, and a luncheon following the service. Masks are required in order to attend all events. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Edgewater Good Samaritan Fund.

The family would like to thank the Edgewater staff, and Wesley Life Hospice Team for their loving care and support. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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