Jean Marie Nixon

Jean Nixon, age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Friday, March 06, 2015 at North Lake Manor in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Cedar Cemetery in Fonda, Iowa. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Jean Marie Nixon was born January 24, 1932 on her grandparent’s farm, affectionately known as “Tutti Mom” and “Tutti Pop’s” farm near Fonda, Iowa, the daughter of Gordon and Lyla (Gottfried) Nixon. She grew up in the Fonda community, graduating from Fonda Public High School in 1950. She then went on to continue her education at Buena Vista College. Jean served as a varsity cheerleader, member of the college choir, Sigma Tau Delta, Spanish Club, Phi Alpha Pi Sorority, and the Swope Dorm Women’s Governing Board. She graduated in 1954. After college, Jean taught in Laurens, Cherokee, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. From there she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and taught in Robbinsdale, a suburb of Minneapolis. In 1961, a year was taken from teaching and spent serving as a dorm counselor at Chadbourne Hall at the University of Wisconsin. Jean’s Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling was received at the University of Wisconsin Madison campus. In June 1991, Jean took early retirement from teaching after 36 years of service to public school children. Nineteen of those years were spent in Storm Lake Middle School, where she served as an English teacher and counselor. Her achievements include co-editing an article published in the Minnesota Journal of Education, being presented The Outstanding Young Women of America Award, as well as being selected to the National Register of Prominent Americans. Junior high students were her “pride and joy” and after retirement, she missed the contact with them. Bowling was one of Jean’s favorite pastimes. In 1974, Jean bowled a 255 game and won a trip to bowl in the National US tournament. Jean enjoyed traveling, especially her trips to Sweden, Austria, France, and Germany, as well as nearly every state in America. She liked to ski, garden, camp, and serve as a substitute teacher in the new middle school. She also liked music and participated in the St. Mark Lutheran Choir. Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Carole (William) Peterson of Ankeny, Iowa; brother, Ross (Kathy) Nixon of Ankeny, Iowa; nieces and nephews; extended family and a host of friends. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Bryce Nixon.

Jean Marie Nixon

January 24, 1932 - March 6, 2015