Jean Sparks Walsh, 94 of Ames died on October 2 at the Israel Family Hospice House. A memorial service will be Wednesday, November 14. at 1:30 pm at St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church, 2338 Lincoln Way, Ames.
Jean was born in Marshalltown, IA November 18, 1917, the daughter of Fred and Dorothy (Tuttle) Sparks. She grew up and married in California, attending John Burroughs Junior High and Beverly Hills High School. She attended Occidental College and graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in Economics. She was employed as an internal auditor for Sears.
She married a UCLA classmate, Arthur Weldon Walsh and was the mother of two children, Barbara and Dan. As a war bride, she lived in Des Moines, IA, Harrisburg, PA and Schenectady, NY. After World War II, she followed her husband's career, and lived in Los Angeles, CA, Des Moines, Burlington, West Des Moines and Ames, IA.
While in Ames she worked at Iowa State University in the Registrar's office. After retirement she lived in the Windsor Oaks Senior Living community in Ames.
She was affiliated with Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority (UCLA), P.E.O and Questers. Jean enjoyed and was skilled in needle work and knitting. In addition, she enjoyed reading, gardening and collecting. Throughout her life she was a devoted loving caring woman to her whole family and many friends.
She was baptized, confirmed and married in the Episcopal Church.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband for 69 years, Arthur Weldon Walsh. She is survived by her two children, Barbara Walsh Watts (Richard) of Springfield, VA and Daniel H. Walsh, of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Deborah Watts Dobson (Paul), Linda Watts Zenke (Eric), Tara Walsh Silhavey, (Darren), Bryan Walsh (Brandie), and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Israel Family Hospice House, 400 South Dakota Ave, Ames, IA 50014.