Jerilyn Clowes

Jerilyn Clowes passed away at the Arbor Springs Community in West Des Moines on Oct. 30, 2023, after a long illness. She lived most of her life in Renwick, IA close to friends and family. She was 79 years old.

Jerilyn Jean was born on April 12, 1944, in Renwick, IA to Gladys (Hamm) and Arthur Kraft. She attended Boone Valley School and graduated in 1962. After graduation she moved to Des Moines, IA where she attended and earned a degree from the American Institute of Business. She worked in Des Moines for 7 years before moving back home to Renwick.

Jerilyn married William (Bill) Clowes on Aug. 24, 1969, and had two daughters, Joni and Jill. She worked for a few years at Vernon School after being married. Jerilyn and Bill farmed and raised their girls outside of Renwick.

Jerilyn loved being a part of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi since its start and was also a co-leader of the Vernon Lassies 4-H club for 12 years. Jerilyn was an active member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and was the church secretary for 14 years.

Jerilyn loved supporting the Renwick Public Library and was a library board member for 9 years. You would often see her there, sometimes with a book, but often with a cup of coffee, socializing with friends and her sister, Jan Thompson. Jerilyn was loved by all for her stories, laughter, strong friendships, and the dance and singing she would do whenever an Elvis tune was on.

Jerilyn spent her last 4 years at the Arbor Springs Dementia Community in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she was greatly cared for and loved by so many. She brought a lot of joy to the days.

Jerilyn is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, Gladys and Arthur Kraft, her sister, Judy (Gary) Reynolds and stepfather Elmer Schnetzer. She is survived by her daughters, Joni (Brad Priestman) Clowes of Avondale, AZ and Jill (Ron) Eltanal of Wilmette, IL and her beloved grandchildren Rosalee, Arthur and William.

Jerilyn is also survived by sisters Jan (Rick) Thompson of Renwick, IA and Sharon Kay Musgrove of Muscatine, IA; her brother Larry (Linda) Kraft of TX; her stepsister Colleen Teigland (Herb) of Ft. Dodge, IA and stepbrother Jim (Laraine) Schnetzer of Garden City, UT as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jerilyn’s life will be held in the spring.

The family will be making a donation in memory of Jerilyn to places special to her, such as the Renwick Public Library and Arbor Springs. If you would like to contribute, please send a memorial in lieu of flowers.

Memorials can be sent to:
Jan & Rick Thompson
3175 150th St
Renwick, Iowa 50577
To leave an online tribute, visit www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.