Jean Iuchs

Dorothy Jean (Anderson) Iuchs, daughter of Leonard and Leona Anderson, was born January 18, 1933, in Sedalia Missouri. Jean attended Mark Twain, and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1950. In 1954, she received a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Methodist College, Fayette, Mo. She taught instrumental and vocal music in several schools in the area.

In 1955, Jean married Henry Leroy Iuchs, who predeceased her in 1992. Jean taught and performed on the organ and piano at First United Methodist for several years, and was known to play at various civic club meetings, funerals, weddings, nursing homes and events for more than 60 years. She always participated in the Scott Joplin Festivals. She was a member of the Headwaters Keyboard Association and the Helen G. Steele Club, and was President of the Steele Club, 1993-1995.

Jean leaves her sister, Berna Dean Lamm, of California, Missouri, two daughters, Kristy McKibben (Rick), Karla Enwright (Randy), granddaughters Melissa  Watermann (Justin) and Nicole Weilert (Jason), and Marina Casarez, grandson Brody Enwright (Sarah); great-grandchildren Lily Jackson, Noah Watermann, Gabriel Watermann, Gage Arms, Niko Arms, Connie Casarez, Connor Casarez; great-grandson, Jaxton Cooper.

The family requests any donations be made to the Helen G. Steele Music Club or to Crossroads Hospice in her name. Her family will gather to celebrate her life later next year in Sanibel Island, Florida. There will be no local services.

An additional note from Jean Iuchs’ family:

When we, Jean’s family, reviewed the obituary she had written for herself (above) we noted it was factually accurate, but it failed to convey all that she was. The following expresses what Jean meant to those fortunate to call her our family or friend:

Jean was a lover of nature. She often talked about the time she spent working in Yellowstone National Park, and could speak with authority on gems, minerals, seashells, flowers and trees. She was a lover of artistry. She collected all things bright and beautiful, shiny and sometimes synthetic, and took great pride in her clothing and jewelry. Her own artistry was expressed through her music and, later in life, when she ceased to hear it, she continued to enjoy playing her beloved favorites for others. Ragtime was a passion of hers, and any song, even “Jingle Bell Rock,” suddenly had a bit more pizazz when she played it. As author Samuel Charters said in his book “

A Language of Song

” upon hearing Jean’s music, “Joplin would have been proud.”

Jean loved the thrill of a hunt for a new piece for one of her many collections, which was especially ironic given that she was particularly fond of all things animal print.

Jean Iuchs was the up-tempo swing beat of our lives with a little Bossa Nova  thrown in. And, just like Jean, although we don’t hear the music anymore we still know she’s playing in heaven. Jean leaves behind a large family that loved her, two beloved cats, a vast collection of “pretties” and an empty seat at her beloved Golden Corral. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife and mother; a truly unique and special person who will live on forever through stories told with smiles and laughter. So we say goodbye to one of the special jewels of our lives. We will look for you in heaven wherever there is organ music playing, a chocolate malt to be had, or a nearby gift shop.