Jean R. Lukensmeyer

Jean R. Lukensmeyer, 91, of Hampton, died Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly, Iowa. Jean was born August 23, 1924 in DeSmit, South Dakota to William and Edith (Wienk) Swartz. She moved to Hampton with her parents at age 14. Jean graduated from Hampton High School in 1942. Jean married Jerry Lukensmeyer on March 23, 1943 in Waverly, Iowa. Jean and Jerry owned and operated the Hampton Trading Post/Hampton Travel Planner for 64 years until Jerry's death in 2008; at which time she and her son Richard continued to operate both businesses. Anyone who ever bought a ticket from Jean knows that she put in whatever time was necessary to ensure that they got the best price to get where they were going at the time they wanted. Customer service was her watchword. Jean's top priority, next to her relationship with God, was her family. As a mother, aunt, and grandmother you could count on her to be your best supporter in every circumstance. She listened to your hopes and dreams and inspired you to believe you could achieve them. Every August she organized family camping trips that instilled such a respect and love for nature that her children have passed it on to all of their children. Over the years Jean's love and generosity extended to many other children who also think of her as mother or grandmother. Her giving nature also meant that many adults in the community were extended a helping hand, a visit, and an open heart whenever needed. Jean accepted Jesus as her personal savior on April 5, 1945 and from that day forward she took great joy in fellowship, worship, and ministry with other Christians gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jean dedicated her life to bearing testimony to God's gift of his son on the cross to die for our sins. Jean's devotion to her husband and life partner, Jerry, was never more evident than in her care-taking of him in the last fifteen years of his life after he was hit with post polio syndrome from the bulbar polio he was stricken with in 1950. All who knew Jean and Jerry during this time, including the doctors and nurses who worked with them, know that his life was extended by many years because of Jean's daily loving care. Amazingly energetic and full of vitality that belied her years, Jean was active and doing what she loved right up until the moment she was hit by a stroke which led to her passing. That afternoon she figured out a complicated airline ticket to Ukraine for a Christian missionary and that evening was driving a family and friend to a gospel meeting in Stout. Jean is survived by her five children: Dr. William W. Lukensmeyer of San Jose, Costa Rica; Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer of Washington, DC; Jerald (Anne) Lukensmeyer of Cedar Falls; Richard (Debbra) Lukensmeyer of Hampton; and Moli/Marilyn Gerken of Hampton; seven grandchildren: Jeremy Lukensmeyer, Alison (Chris) Lohse, Katie Lukensmeyer, Nathan (Tina) Lukensmeyer, Andrew (Susan) Lukensmeyer, Brooke Lukensmeyer, Abby Lukensmeyer, and five great-grandchildren: Kiley, Leasha, Kyle, Weston and Audrey Joy. In addition Jean embraced as family: Carolee Ellerbeck, Dawn (Bob) Sorenson, Chad (Tanya) Hartkopp, Crystal Hartkopp, Brandon Huisman, Matthew Hartkopp, Jaxon Hartkopp, Marianna (Andy) Dietz, and Jon Winther. She is also survived by seven nieces and nephews: Jacquelyn Clark, Roger (Doris) Callanan, Bea (Tom) Sexton, Reid (Wendy) Swartz, Don (Carol) Tenney, Bonnie Tenney, and Evan (Leslie) Nolte. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jerry, her parents, Bill and Edith and her sisters and brothers: Bernice, Howard, Bessie, Willis and Ruby. In lieu of flowers memorial may be given to Hampton Gospel Hall Building Fund, North Iowa Hospice or Gospel Hall Mission Work.

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Jean R. Lukensmeyer

August 23, 1924 - April 3, 2016