Wilma Jean Tebbs, 94, of Lowell, Iowa passed away at the Linn Haven Rehab and Health Center in New Hampton, Iowa on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
She was born on February 2, 1930 at the country family home. She was the daughter of Wm. Lee and Laura V. Thornburg Pickle from rural Henry County. On June 5, 1949 she married Marvin D. Tebbs of Denmark, Iowa at Elliott Chapel, New London. He passed away August 17, 2016.
Jean (as she preferred to be called) attended Bethany Country School first through eighth grade. The school was consolidated with Denmark Community Schools where she and Marvin graduated in 1948. She worked at Sylvania and Winegard as a production operator in Burlington. She later worked at Metromail in Mt. Pleasant. Then she worked at Walz’s General Store in Lowell, where they lived and also at Walz’s Appliance Store when the store relocated to New London. In later years she took on clients in the area for cleaning, cooking, and general loving care over tea and exchange of memories. Many will remember the two garden lots in Lowell at the turn to Geode State Park with rows upon rows of flowers and produce that she and Marvin tended with love.
She was a past member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Danville and was a lifetime member of the Burlington Moose Lodge.
Survivors include her daughter Vicki L. (David) Stainbrook of Mt. Pleasant; grandson Devin Stainbrook of Iowa City; granddaughter Danelle (Jake) Stainbrook of Mt. Pleasant; great-grandchildren Saige and Gavin Burchett; three sisters, Karen Putnam of West Burlington, Mary Gohr and Marjorie Foster both of Burlington; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; eight of her eleven siblings, Florence, Hazel, Dorothy, Velma, Gwen, Joe, Jack and Jim; and great-granddaughter Peyton.
The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice of Iowa for their compassionate care of Jean in her final months.
According to her wishes her body has been cremated and there will be no services. A memorial has been established for her great-grandchildren Saige and Gavin. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at elliottfuneralchapel.com.