Denise Jackson, 64, passed away due to complications from pneumonia Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
Denise was born February 20, 1950 in Des Moines, the daughter of Robert M. and Lela (Lustman) Wilkinson. She was raised in Ottumwa, IA and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1968.
Denise held her master’s degree in education and retired in June of 2010 from Heartland AEA where she was a teacher for twenty years in the Shelter Care Education Program. She taught math and science at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, formerly called Meyer Hall. Denise was a dedicated teacher. She was committed to the students, accepted them for who they were, and continually encouraged them to do their best. Her organizational skills combined with her balance of discipline, empathy, and compassion made her an especially good teacher in the detention setting. When one of her associates was describing Denise as a teacher, he said, “Professor McGonagall – she’s a good one.”
Denise loved being a grandmother to her granddaughter Shae, and enjoyed traveling and quilting. She was a very active member of Altoona Christian Church.
Denise is survived by her husband, Paul; sons, Kevin of Des Moines and Ryan of Pleasanton, CA; sisters, Patricia Lee (Baylor) House of Perryville, AR and Beth Ann Hendred of Ottumwa, IA; mother, Lela Wilkinson of Des Moines; granddaughter, Shae; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert M. Wilkinson and brother-in-law, Anthony Hendred, Sr.
Denise Jackson, 64, passed away due to complications from pneumonia Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
Denise was born February 20, 1950 in Des Moines, the daughter of Robert M. and Lela (Lustman) Wilkinson. She was raised in Ottumwa, IA and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1968.
Denise held her master’s degree in education and retired in June of 2010 from Heartland AEA where she was a teacher for twenty years in the Shelter Care Education Program. She taught math and science at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, formerly called Meyer Hall. Denise was a dedicated teacher. She was committed to the students, accepted them for who they were, and continually encouraged them to do their best. Her organizational skills combined with her balance of discipline, empathy, and compassion made her an especially good teacher in the detention setting. When one of her associates was describing Denise as a teacher, he said, “Professor McGonagall – she’s a good one.”
Denise loved being a grandmother to her granddaughter Shae, and enjoyed traveling and quilting. She was a very active member of Altoona Christian Church.
Denise is survived by her husband, Paul; sons, Kevin of Des Moines and Ryan of Pleasanton, CA; sisters, Patricia Lee (Baylor) House of Perryville, AR and Beth Ann Hendred of Ottumwa, IA; mother, Lela Wilkinson of Des Moines; granddaughter, Shae; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert M. Wilkinson and brother-in-law, Anthony Hendred, Sr.
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