Vera Eloise Jepsen

Eloise Jepsen 92 of Ottumwa, formerly of Des Moines died February 9th, 2023 at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa. Eloise was born July 18th, 1930 in Des Moines to Elmer G. and Marian E. Cole Wiseman.

Eloise grew up and lived in the Union Park neighborhood of Des Moines until 2012 when she and Phil moved to Ottumwa to be close to their family. She graduated from East High School in 1948 and was on the senior board as class secretary. Eloise was active in the Girl Scouts and spent several summers as a camp counselor in Wisconsin. She attended Iowa State College for two years and was a lifetime member of Delta Zeta sorority.

Eloise met her future husband Phillip Jepsen when she was 16 at the drugstore at the 'end of the line' on Hull Avenue. They were married November 25th, 1950 at Union Park Christian Church. He preceded her in death April 16th, 2019. One of Eloise's greatest ccomplishments, with the help of her brother Lowell and grandson Edward, was the research and publishing of a 600 pagebook 'The Familie Green of Slesvig - Jurgen Green and Dorothea Goldstedt Ancestors and Descendants 1709-1998. She sold over 400 copies of this book in which she compiled photos and histories of Jurgen Green's descendants by writing hundreds of letters to Germany and having records translated.

Eloise is survived by her daughter Kathy (Ed) Wilson of Ottumwa; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Mike) Acevedo of Iowa City, Julia (Farai) Kambasha of Chicago, Edward of Ottumwa, Phillip (Meghan Rodier) of Vermont, Emily Leboeuf of Ottumwa, Kiera King of Des Moines; and great granddaughters Zoe and Maya Acevedo and Piper Leboeuf. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Phil, brother Lowell, son David and daughter Liane.

Eloise has been cremated and a graveside service will be held at a later date.

Print