JEAN W. TYLER

JEAN W. TYLER

Jean W. Tyler passed away on July 22, 2020 at St. Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa on July 30, 1922, the daughter of George and Ethel Trowbridge. The family settled in Stuart, Iowa, in 1926, where Jean grew up. From a very early age, words, poetry, and literature fascinated her. She had a capacious and agile memory which propelled her to the national stage in 1936 as that year’s National Spelling champion. She earned her BA in journalism at the University of Iowa in 1946.

Jean was dedicated to her family. In 1946, she married Donald E. Tyler (of Villisca, Iowa), who had a long career as an internist, practicing medicine in Fort Dodge (from 1954-1972) and Marshalltown, Iowa (from 1972-1984). For 71 years, they were close, loving partners until Don died in 2018. They reared four children, David (FDSH 1966), Andrea (FDSH 1968), Stephen (FDSH 1970) and Lissa (Marshalltown, 1976). Jean and Don loved taking long walks in the countryside, observing birds and identifying native plants. Together with Don, Jean created many graceful, friendly flower gardens. Jean loved to laugh and tell family stories. She blessed her family and friends with her graceful, carefully composed, clever letters. She delighted family and friends with limericks and saucy political poems which showcased her witty, wry view on life.

She is survived by her four children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. A granddaughter, Vanessa, died in infancy. She developed close ties with her grandchildren, who as youngsters loved to spend time at Grandma’s house, where they felt surrounded by her warm, gentle spirit.

Jean was guided by the importance of valuing others. She was an active member of PEO, worked on refugee support, and delivered Meals on Wheels. With Don, she was a long-time member of the Methodist Church.

Donations, in memory of Jean W. Tyler, may be made to Hope West Hospice, 3090 B, North 12th Street, 81506 or 1st United Methodist Church, 522 White Avenue, 81501. A family memorial will be held in next year.