Mary Jean Fowler

Mary Jean Fowler

Cedar Rapids

Mary Jean Fowler, 87, died from natural causes on Monday, June 20, 2022, at her home in Cedar Rapids. Services: 10 a.m. Monday, June 27, at St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Mark Murphy. A vigil service will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home. For those not attending the vigil service, they may visit with the family on Sunday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home and Monday after 9 a.m. at the church. Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery in Fairfax.

Jean was born on Feb. 9, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, daughter of Melbourne G. “James” Koch and Mary G. McNulty Koch. She graduated from St. Patrick School, Fairfax, and attended Mount Mercy College. On June 28, 1958, she married Donald L. Fowler at St. Patrick Church, Fairfax and had four children. They moved to Fairfield, Calif., for a short time until Donald passed away on April 25, 1965, and Jean returned to Cedar Rapids with her children.

Jean lovingly raised her children before returning to secretarial work with Dr. Boelter OD for many years and at the Five Season’s Hotel. Jean was a longtime active member of St. Jude Catholic Church.

In retirement, Jean learned to make detailed ceramic dolls for her family and friends, often modeling them after the intended recipient and even donating her dolls to favorite charities. Jean, a member of the Red Hat Society, went on monthly outings with her cousins and friends in their Red Hats and Purple dresses. Jean loved to dance whenever she got a chance, from winning a Charleston dance contest in her youth to hitting the dance floor at her children’s and grandchildren’s weddings. Jean was by nature a very kind, sweet woman and by circumstance, an incredibly brave, strong woman who always put her family first. Her devotion to her family was mirrored in her children’s devotion to her.

Jean is survived by her son, Steve (Sarah) Fowler of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Lori (Nick) Ward of Torrance, Calif., Debra (Lonny) Goodwin of Walford and Linda (Greg) Hulbert of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, Bridget (Cliff), Colleen (Cody), Douglas (Jessica), Alexander, Jonathan, Matthew, Ashley (Mykel), Ben (Randy), Matt (Carrie), Seth and John (Kylee); 10 great-grandchildren, Veronica, Penelope, Arthur, Marlowe, Kaelyn, Kasen, Teresa, Claire, Hannah and Grace; sister, Patricia Chekel of Anaheim, Calif.; many nieces and nephews; cousin and lifelong friend, MaryAnn Costigan.

In addition to her husband, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, James Koch; and great-grandson, Martin Auen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St Jude Catholic Church in Jean’s name.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.