Jean Vais

Jean B. Vais, 78, of Exira, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at her home in rural Exira, Iowa.

Jean Bridgid McElroy Vais was born June 20, 1939, to Edward Patrick and Martha Cecilia (Roeder) McElroy in Creston, Iowa. She grew up in Creston where she attended school and graduated from Creston High School in 1957.

On October 11, 1958, she married Francis Vais at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Creston, Iowa. They made their home in rural Audubon County for their entire married life.

Sewing was a favorite activity of hers and she sewed countless outfits for her grandchildren. She was an avid crafter and shared this gift with all those around her. Jean was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita.

Surviving Jean are her children, Larry Vais of Anita, IA, Karen Huse of Federal Way, WA, Gary (Julie) Vais of Exira, IA, Sharon Wagner of Anita, IA, Sherry (Gary) Pitcock of Dallas, TX, and Terry (Noriko) Vais of Newnan, GA; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Ethel Herring of Marion, IA, Mary McElroy of Creston, IA, Patricia Knock of New York, NY; and her brother, John McElroy of Grand Island, NE.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; her parents, Edward and Martha McElroy; her brother, Kenneth McElroy; and her sisters, Helen Linderman, Kathryn Kuhl, Margaret Kernen; and her daughter-in-law, Marcia Vais.

A Rosary service will be held at 5:00 p.m. with family visitation following until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 31, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita, Iowa. Interment will be in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.