Obituary for Elaine Scribbins
Elaine Elizabeth (Jessen) Scribbins passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at Van Diest Medical Center on September 23, 2020, after a brief confinement. In her final hours she was comforted by the presence of her son Mark and his wife Lynne.
Elaine Jessen, daughter of George (Swede), Jr. and Alice (Fell) Jessen, was born on Feb 4, 1924 in
Everly, Iowa.
he graduated from High School at age 17 and received a one year scholarship at Briar Cliff College,
Sioux City, Iowa. She taught as a one-room school teacher in Everly and as a high school teacher in Hansell, Iowa under the WWII Emergency Act. She found better employment (much better pay and adventure) as a waitress in Colorado Springs, Yellowstone Park, and CBS Studios in Hollywood, where she waited on many radio and movie personalities.
She finally earned her way through college and graduated from Iowa State University in 1947.
Upon graduation she taught high school home economics in Mason City and then went to work for the Iowa State Extension Service in Waverly and then in Ames.
In Ames she met Edward C. Scribbins at a St Cecelia's social gathering. The two were married in the Catholic Church in 1951 by Father Supple.
As a home economics teacher, she taught junior high school in Blairsburg and Webster City for 25 years. In1968 she obtained her Master's Degree (magna cum laude and Phi Kappa Phi) from Iowa State University.
Elaine was active in the Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, and Eucharistic Ministry. She participated in 4-H as a county fair judge and volunteered for Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Hamilton County RSVP.
Elaine was energetic, hard-working, determined, and a very opinionated person with a basic "attitude of gratitude" throughout her life. She was adamant about education and is believed to have read almost every book in Kendall Young Library at least once before her library card was revoked by the family last month for leaving too many jelly stains on the pages (she loved her sweets). She sometimes said, "I'm a home economist. I never said I was a housekeeper!"
Everyone she met was special to her and a marvel of God's creation.
She set a "high bar" for herself, her children, and others, but was tolerant of our shared shortcomings. She was an excellent steward of her finances and strongly believed in charitable contributions.
She preached to her children, "Pray to live your life in accordance with God's will." At the end of her life, she hoped for affirmation of her best efforts. She was married to Ed for 58 years until his death in 2009. She felt that couples that pray together stay together.
Given certain sorrows and situations in her youth, she will remain a good model of someone who "picked up the cards that life dealt" and played her best hand. Boasting was not one of her traits but she considered herself a terrific bridge player. When asked if she would be intimated to play bridge with Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, she replied, "not a bit."
A talented cook, her homemade caramel rolls, doughnuts, pancakes, pies, along with her infamous Swiss steak and pan chicken, were outstanding. An impressive seamstress, she was the first woman in Webster City to make and wear a polyester pantsuit (1971). She said that making homemade Barbie Doll clothes was one of the most delightful crafts of her life.
Adages that she handed down included:
"Waste not, want not."
"Those that don't work don't eat."
"You can't do business with an empty wagon."
Elaine was often described as a "merry soul". Prior to her death, after the physician relayed her diagnosis to the family, he said, "but she's happy as a lark in there!"
Elaine Elizabeth (Jessen) Scribbins is survived by:
Her children Michael (Julie) Scribbins, Mark (Lynne) Scribbins, Lynda Scribbins (Michael Bear), Thomas (Kathryn) Scribbins.
Grandchildren include: Joshua and Sarah Scribbins, Joseph (Tara) Scribbins, Matthew Scribbins, Laura (Jason) Bui, Vincent, Philip, and Daniel Scribbins.
Great grandchildren include: Elisha, Edward, and Ezra Scribbins, and Kennedy Bui.
Brother: Gerald (Kay) Jessen.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Edward C. Scribbins, parents George (Swede) Jr.
and Alice (Fell) Jessen, brothers Paul Edward Jessen and Ellis (Jim) Jessen, and (sister-in-law
Anne).
She leaves eleven nieces and nephews.
In one of her last conversations, she said, "Isn't this social distancing great? It keeps everyone safe!"
Due to Covid, no Memorial or Mass is planned at this time. A proper funeral gathering is planned post- Covid. Final interment will eventually be alongside Ed at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.
Elaine's predominant choices, if gifts are desired to be given in her memory, are: Food Bank of Iowa, PO Box 1517 Des Moines, Iowa 50305 or the American Red Cross.
Elaine Jessen, daughter of George (Swede), Jr. and Alice (Fell) Jessen, was born on Feb 4, 1924 in
Everly, Iowa.
he graduated from High School at age 17 and received a one year scholarship at Briar Cliff College,
Sioux City, Iowa. She taught as a one-room school teacher in Everly and as a high school teacher in Hansell, Iowa under the WWII Emergency Act. She found better employment (much better pay and adventure) as a waitress in Colorado Springs, Yellowstone Park, and CBS Studios in Hollywood, where she waited on many radio and movie personalities.
She finally earned her way through college and graduated from Iowa State University in 1947.
Upon graduation she taught high school home economics in Mason City and then went to work for the Iowa State Extension Service in Waverly and then in Ames.
In Ames she met Edward C. Scribbins at a St Cecelia's social gathering. The two were married in the Catholic Church in 1951 by Father Supple.
As a home economics teacher, she taught junior high school in Blairsburg and Webster City for 25 years. In1968 she obtained her Master's Degree (magna cum laude and Phi Kappa Phi) from Iowa State University.
Elaine was active in the Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, and Eucharistic Ministry. She participated in 4-H as a county fair judge and volunteered for Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Hamilton County RSVP.
Elaine was energetic, hard-working, determined, and a very opinionated person with a basic "attitude of gratitude" throughout her life. She was adamant about education and is believed to have read almost every book in Kendall Young Library at least once before her library card was revoked by the family last month for leaving too many jelly stains on the pages (she loved her sweets). She sometimes said, "I'm a home economist. I never said I was a housekeeper!"
Everyone she met was special to her and a marvel of God's creation.
She set a "high bar" for herself, her children, and others, but was tolerant of our shared shortcomings. She was an excellent steward of her finances and strongly believed in charitable contributions.
She preached to her children, "Pray to live your life in accordance with God's will." At the end of her life, she hoped for affirmation of her best efforts. She was married to Ed for 58 years until his death in 2009. She felt that couples that pray together stay together.
Given certain sorrows and situations in her youth, she will remain a good model of someone who "picked up the cards that life dealt" and played her best hand. Boasting was not one of her traits but she considered herself a terrific bridge player. When asked if she would be intimated to play bridge with Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, she replied, "not a bit."
A talented cook, her homemade caramel rolls, doughnuts, pancakes, pies, along with her infamous Swiss steak and pan chicken, were outstanding. An impressive seamstress, she was the first woman in Webster City to make and wear a polyester pantsuit (1971). She said that making homemade Barbie Doll clothes was one of the most delightful crafts of her life.
Adages that she handed down included:
"Waste not, want not."
"Those that don't work don't eat."
"You can't do business with an empty wagon."
Elaine was often described as a "merry soul". Prior to her death, after the physician relayed her diagnosis to the family, he said, "but she's happy as a lark in there!"
Elaine Elizabeth (Jessen) Scribbins is survived by:
Her children Michael (Julie) Scribbins, Mark (Lynne) Scribbins, Lynda Scribbins (Michael Bear), Thomas (Kathryn) Scribbins.
Grandchildren include: Joshua and Sarah Scribbins, Joseph (Tara) Scribbins, Matthew Scribbins, Laura (Jason) Bui, Vincent, Philip, and Daniel Scribbins.
Great grandchildren include: Elisha, Edward, and Ezra Scribbins, and Kennedy Bui.
Brother: Gerald (Kay) Jessen.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Edward C. Scribbins, parents George (Swede) Jr.
and Alice (Fell) Jessen, brothers Paul Edward Jessen and Ellis (Jim) Jessen, and (sister-in-law
Anne).
She leaves eleven nieces and nephews.
In one of her last conversations, she said, "Isn't this social distancing great? It keeps everyone safe!"
Due to Covid, no Memorial or Mass is planned at this time. A proper funeral gathering is planned post- Covid. Final interment will eventually be alongside Ed at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.
Elaine's predominant choices, if gifts are desired to be given in her memory, are: Food Bank of Iowa, PO Box 1517 Des Moines, Iowa 50305 or the American Red Cross.