Jean Reese

JEAN L. REESE

Iowa City

Jean Ladora Reese, 79, of Iowa City, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from complications from a head injury following a fall.

Jean was born July 30, 1937, in rural Shelton, Neb.,

to Minnie Muhlbach Reese and Herman Reese and grew up on her family's small farm in the rolling hills of south-central Nebraska. She graduated from the Normal Training program at Ravenna, Neb., high school and taught in a rural Buffalo County one-room grade school. Jean obtained a diploma in nursing from Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Neb., and worked as a staff nurse at Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln, Neb.

Jean steered her passion for nursing toward teaching. She earned advanced degrees from the University of Nebraska, University of Washington and the University of Iowa. She taught nursing at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings, and Clark Community College, Vancouver, Wash., before establishing a long teaching career at the University of Iowa College of Nursing.

A distinguished nurse educator, Jean wrote brilliant class lectures and delivered them with enthusiasm. Her lectures on pathology conveyed the importance of scientific knowledge to actual nursing practice. Former students have said she instilled their continued interest in pathology. She modeled excellence in the hospital, working alongside her students to provide high-quality care to patients with head and neck cancer. Students recall Jean's sharp intellect and spirited teaching style decades after they graduate. She also was a member of the first Iowa City Hospice volunteer training class.

Jean loved working with her hands, building small projects for her home and designing and caring for her home garden. She enjoyed sports, especially women's basketball, music and dancing. She played pool regularly at The Center, tutored college students and was active in the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Iowa City. She traveled frequently and widely and catalogued her journeys in great detail. Jean always shared her home with her furry pals, who were fortunate to receive her love and care.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marjorie Stelter; and her brothers-in-law, Herman Stelter and Eldon Kanode. Jean's dog, Bailey, died one week after her death.

Survivors include her sister, Loreen Kanode; her nephews, Darrel and Ann Stelter, LaVern and Deborah Stelter, Lon and Anne Kanode, Joel and Melanie Kanode and Doran Kanode; several cousins; numerous great- nieces and great-nephews; many close friends; and her cat, Darcey.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, temporarily located at Sanctuary Community Church, 2205 E. Grantview Dr., No. 200, Coralville, on Friday, June 16, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow the service.

You may honor Jean by a donation in her memory to the Unitarian Universalist Church, The Center (Senior Center), EICONS (Oncology Nursing Society), the University of Iowa Foundation for women's basketball, or a non-profit organization of your choice.