Jane Marie Gillespie, 85, passed peacefully at Bright Kavanagh on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service at 11:30 a.m. Friday, November 19, 2021 at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 2900 49th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310. To view a live stream of the service visit www.facebook.com/immanueldsm. A luncheon at the church will follow the service for those who want to attend. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Jane was born on July 4, 1936 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Clarence and Genevieve Johnson. The middle child and the only daughter, Jane learned early how to take care of an older brother, Larry and a younger one, Jim. After Jane’s father passed in California at an early age, the family moved back to Marshalltown where Jane played the clarinet in the band, worked in a grocery store and graduated from high school.
Jane moved to Des Moines and worked as a secretary for Pete Marwick, Mitchell & Co. She met Marlyn Gillespie, the love of her life, and they married in 1965 and had two children. Jane loved her family, friends, volunteering, her church family, and she never met a stranger. Over 20 years of service at Iowa Methodist Hospital’s gift shop and helping with Valley band uniforms were at the top of her list. She adored her bridge friends and loved all of the fun ladies groups she belonged to, especially her years bowling with her DMGCC friends. PEO has a special place in her heart as well.
Jane treasured her grandchildren, Emily and Mitchell. They were truly gifts from God and she was always interested in hearing their stories about fun endeavors and spending time together.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Kim (Rich) Willis; son, Jeff (Janet) Gillespie; grandchildren, Emily (Isaac) Westergaard and Mitchell; and sister-in-law, Charlene Johnson. She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, and brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bright Kavanagh House or Immanuel United Methodist Church.
