Jean Marie King

Jean Marie King, the daughter of Virgil and Loretta Kirschbaum, was born February 29, 1944, in Spencer, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Ruthven and graduated from Ruthven High School in 1962. She received her nursing diploma from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in May of 1965. On November 27, 1965, Jean married Larry King of Dickens. Following their marriage they lived on a farm near Gillett Grove. In 2001, Larry and Jean moved to an acreage on the outskirts of Spencer. Following her graduation from Mercy, Jean was a Staff Nurse at Spencer Municipal Hospital until 1967. She became a Public Health Nurse in Spencer until 1971. In 1972 she became an Adult Education instructor for Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. From 1972 until 1993, she was a classroom and clinical instructor for the Nursing program of Iowa Lakes in Emmetsburg. In 1979, while working with Iowa Lakes and raising a young family, Jean graduated with honors from Buena Vista College with a Bachelor's Degree. In 1986 she received her Master's Degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings. Beginning in 1990 she was employed by the University of Iowa College of Nursing as a Faculty Facilitator for the RN-BSN Satellite Center with Iowa Lakes in Emmetsburg. In 2002 she was promoted to the title of Assistant Professor. Jean was an extremely compassionate person that worked extensively with Parish Nursing as well as Hospice. She has an extensive amount of published work concerning a wide variety of nursing topics. When Jean received the University of Iowa's 2004 College of Nursing Collegiate Teaching Award, it was noted by the Dean, "Professor King is an ambassador par excellence for the College and for Nursing. She has persuaded hundreds of nurses throughout Iowa to continue their education and in so doing has improved the quality of care received by citizens throughout the state. " Most recently Jean was nominated for the 100 Great Nurses of Iowa Award. In addition to her passion for her work and family, Jean was active in numerous groups, clubs and boards. Some of her most beloved pastimes involved spending time with family and friends, traveling, throwing parties, skiing, and being outdoors in general. Jean passed away on May 3, 2005, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston at the age of 61. She fought valianty for the past year and a half to beat the cancer that had stricken her and always responded in a heartfelt manner to the overwhelming prayers, well-wishes, and support she received. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Loretta Kirschbaum; and her father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Marie King. Jean is survived by her husband, Larry, of Spencer; her sons: Greg King of Jefferson, IA; Steve King and his wife, Mandi, of Greenville, IA; daughter, Andrea Argotsinger and her husband, Andy, of Ames, IA; 4 grandchildren: Max King, Owen King, Austin and Aden Argotsinger; her sister and brother-in-law, Joann and Dean Mohr; and sister-in-law and husband, Nancy and Keith Sutherland; several nieces and nephews, as well as many other relatives and friends.

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