Jeanne Lynn (Hanks) Foell, 75, of Kelley, Iowa peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, at her home in rural Kelley.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am., Saturday, October 10, 2026, at CrossRoad Baptist Church (3721 Turing St. Ames, IA), with a church reception to follow. All are invited to join in honoring and celebrating her remarkable life rooted in her love, kindness, and resilience.

Jeanne was born on April 16, 1951, in Ames, Iowa, to Dean and Beulah Hanks. She attended Kelley school and graduated from Ballard High School in 1969. Jeanne grew up in rural Kelley as a tomboy playing outside and fondly remembered nights sleeping under the stars and days spent building treehouses and forts with her brothers, who loved to tease her with crawdads plucked from the creek and light firecrackers in cow dung.

In the summer of 1970, after her freshman year at Iowa State University, Jeanne met Arvin Foell, a fellow work-study student, in the Plant Pathology field plots. They married on May 22, 1971. While times were not often easy, Arvin and Jeanne taught their children to work hard, persevere through obstacles, that the little things matter most, and that gratitude and generosity go hand-in-hand.

Later in life, she returned to school to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Nurse while raising four children. With support from friends, relatives, and help from the children, who learned to prepare dinner, she completed her associate’s degree and worked at Madrid Home and Granger Manor for many years before working in the school system with special needs students. Her career reflected her dedication to caring for and helping others. In retirement, she thoroughly enjoyed traveling to visit her children, sister, and caring for her grandchildren.

Jeanne’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, and was infused with service to people for God. Arvin took her to his church, CrossRoad (Campus) Baptist Church in Ames, while they were dating, and the couple became active, lifelong members. Jeanne served in Sunday School, taught Children’s Church, Baptismal and Communion preparation, and served in numerous additional roles and positions over the last 56 years. Even when Jeanne’s health declined and could rarely attend in person, she regularly livestreamed the service.

Jeanne’s favorite verse was Isaiah 26:3, the one chosen for her confirmation at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kelley, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”. (NKJV)

The greatest joy of Jeanne’s life was caring for others, whether that was her taking care of her patients, her students at Ames High, or her family and friends. Jeanne was a compassionate, selfless giver with a wry sense of humor, quick wit, and quirky personality that continued through her last days.

Jeanne loved expressing her creativity through crafting, quilting, cross-stitching, and sewing. She always had a variety of creative projects going at once, and she was proud of her craftsmanship in whatever she made. If she wasn’t in her sewing room, you could find her reading historical fiction, doing crosswords and word searches, working on a puzzle, being outdoors gardening or mowing, and making her rounds at thrift shops. She loved to travel and visit her children, grandchildren, and sister, Mary, regularly. Jeanne loved to think of others and often sent cards to friends and family or gift boxes of clothes, books, and toys to grandchildren. Jeanne was quick to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or an encouraging verse to all those who knew her.

Jeanne is survived by her children, Aymi Paradise-Flores (Donzel Brooks) of Huxley, IA, Kristi (Dan) Arthur of Lynchburg, VA, Katie (Justin) Robinson of Lavon, TX, and Andy Foell (Grace Shapland) of Cottage Grove, OR; her grandchildren, Abby Robinson (Dusty Worden), Sam Robinson, Jonah Flores, Violet Flores, JJ Flores, Addie Arthur, Callie Arthur, and Archer Foell; her siblings, Dennis (Pam) Hanks of Cambridge, IA, David (Cindy, deceased) Hanks of Slater, IA, and Mary (Dale) Oxendine of Chickamauga, GA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeanne joins her husband of 54 years, Arvin Foell, along with her beloved parents, Dean and Beulah Hanks; granddaughter, Sara Robinson; and neighbors in life and death, her brother, Phil Hanks, also of rural Kelley, who joined her the day following her passing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family at P.O. Box 909, Ankeny, Iowa 50021.

Celebration of Life

Oct

10

CrossRoad Baptist Church

3721 Turing Street
Ames, IA 50010

11:00 AM