Jean Liles' Obituary
Jean Liles (Carolyn Jean), passed away peacefully at home, on June 23, 2017. She was born on July 31, 1948 in St John's, Newfoundland, to a kind and gentle father, a strong and nurturing mother, and a loving, vibrant big sister. Her father was a career officer in the United States Air Force, which provided her the opportunity to travel extensively and experience life in many places. She lived in Wiesbaden, Germany; Warner Robins, Georgia; Playa Del Rey, California; the Washington D.C area; and many other places. After graduating from Northwood High School, in Silver Spring, Maryland, she attended Iowa State University. Ames became her much-loved, permanent home where she raised three children and became Nana, to two grandchildren. After her first career as a caring and attentive mother, she returned to ISU where she earned a Bachelor's degree in computer science. She then began her second career in information technology where she befriended, mentored, and inspired those she worked with. Work was also where she met Mark, and after dating for 10 years, they rushed into marriage by tying the knot in September, 2001 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Together they took many hiking trips to national parks and points beyond, cooked wonderful meals, and enjoyed hours on the back porch watching birds and other wildlife in their beautiful garden. Jean passed away from Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a currently incurable neurological disorder. She accepted and met the challenges of living with MSA with quiet resolve, inspiring grace, and sharp humor. Jean is survived by her mother, Grace Dyer; her husband, Mark Schmitz; her three children, Tara Fatka Etheridge, Peter Fatka, and April (Andrew) Fatka-Westlake; and her two grandchildren, Hannah Etheridge and Maxwell Westlake. She was preceded by her father, Ben Liles and her sister, Donna Spicchiali. Jean was a kind, thoughtful, and tolerant person, an avid gardener, swift Jumble solver, and expert pancake maker. She will be missed greatly. The family will host an open house celebration of Jean's life at Reiman Gardens in Ames, on Friday, July 14th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her honor be made to the MSA Coalition at multiplesystematrophy.org Online condolences may be directed to:www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
What’s your fondest memory of Jean?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jean?
Share a story where Jean's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jean you’ll never forget.
How did Jean make you smile?