Birth date: Nov 14, 1933 Death date: Jan 23, 2020
Jona J. Mann's last message to the world: "If you're reading this, I've finally corked off." On January 23, 2020 in Ames, Iowa, at the age of 86, she followed in the hoof and paw prints of the horses and dogs she loved and cared f Read Obituary
Our sympathies to Jona's family and friends. Jona was our neighbor when she had to move to town. We enjoyed her wit and humor. I can imagine what a great teacher she was!
I met Jona Mann when I was 14, many years ago. I believe it was her first teaching job. I didn't know that then, when she walked into our classroom and said, "I know you think this is reading class, but it is literature class. You can tell your friends that you are taking literature." I was riveted from that time on. We explored many authors and forms of the art of writing, in that class and later when I had the good fortune to spend my senior year of high school as her student. I became a truly prodigious reader. Later in my life after we had lost touch, I realized the many ways I was still referring to her guidance, I found her address and reconnected with her to resume a correspondence via email, phone and letter. We talked about the past in New Jersey, politics and our lives. I was struck and buoyed by her positive attitude, integrity and the breadth of her interests.
Even on her death bed she set an amazing example... Bon Voyage, Jona...
Jona, How do I describe a great person like her. I met her over 28 years ago when she called me to come and clean her chimney. When I got there she was very insistant on showing me her beautiful farm (the one N of Madrid on 1921 Rose) with her horses and her 2 poodles at the time. I was so young at my business at the time and just wanted to do my work and make a buck. She taught me understanding of a customer and patience and to listen to them. I listened to her and am a better man for it. For that I earned her trust and she was my customer (no my friend) for the rest of her life. I regret not reaching out to her this last year as I have always been over to her place even if it was just to lite her gas fireplace (her new place in Ames) and to talk to her. She will be greatly missed (especially by me) and I know she brought great JOY to everyone she ever met.
Jona Mann, an A+ person, teacher, scholar, animal lover, and friend. I taught next door to Jona at Hoover for six years. She was wise, smart, understanding, and a true gift to students. She made this world a better place for all of us, animals and humans.
The first quarter of my junior year in high school, I earned a C in English. Deism, pragmatism, the over-soul. Huh? I had never gotten a C in anything and my parents went to meet Dr. Mann at parent-teacher conferences to find out why. Dr. Mann told my parents that she was needed to teach their son to think... and if I start to think, I'll succeed in her class. She was THE teacher that challenged me to think and express my thoughts in my writing. While she could have been teaching philosophy at some boughie private school somewhere, she chose to give her all to the middle class public school kids in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Mann was selected to address my high school class at our graduation. I remember her opening words as she looked out at the Hoover High School class of 1988 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium: "Do Something!" Dr. Jona Mann was a hell of a woman who definitely Did Something and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Bradley Moon
San Diego, CA
Hoover High School Class of 1988
I had Dr. Mann for English at Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a great teacher. She taught me a lot and I was very honored to have her as a teacher. Rest In Peace Dr. Mann.
Kim Bone
Hoover High School
Class of 1980
Best teacher I ever had! Junior year AP English was: “No.” “You’re wrong.” “Not even close…NEXT.” I didn’t know what to think about all that at first, but quickly came to appreciate the ball-busting approach.
She taught me how to think outside the book and outside the box. Her words and lessons were more beneficial to me and my life to come than any other teacher. If Dr. Mann had that kind of impact on me, I would assume there were many others.
I remember how excited I was when I found out she was giving the commencement address for the Class of ‘88. In my world, it seemed perfectly fitting, and she absolutely slayed it!
Dr. Mann was quite simply a spectacular teacher, thinker, and person!
May she Rest In Peace.
Chad M. Cooper
Hoover High School
Class of ‘88
A very memorable person from my childhood. Jona was a kind and intelligent spirit. I always appreciated time with her during family holidays- we had the same love for animals. May you Rest In Peace Jona.
I have not forgotten you since you were a teacher of mine at Hoover High School here in Des Moines, I wish I had known how to contact you before your passing. You furthered my love of reading and you always read every book I read ....with so many students you were amazing. Thank you!
Mrs. Mann was my sophomore English teacher at Roosevelt back in 1970. Unlike many high school classes, this one I enjoyed! My condolences to her family.
