Jean Walston

Jean Elizabeth (Tevis) Walston, 62, of Fort Dodge, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2501 6th Avenue North – Fort Dodge with Father Jacob Rouse and Deacon Dan Rouse officiating. Services will be livestreamed via https://www.facebook.com/share/19TJeeaM8e/?mibextid=wwXIfr.  A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, IA at a later date with military honors. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge.

After decades of courageously battling multiple health complications, Jean’s strength and resilience remained an inspiration to all who knew her. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she will always be remembered for her kindness, selflessness, and the radiant smile and laughter she shared with everyone she met. Born on April 4, 1962, in Mason City, IA, Jean was the daughter of Evan Jacob (“Jake”) Tevis and Coriene Regena Crapser.

After graduating from high school, Jean enlisted in the Air Force in October 1980 and completed training as an administrative specialist. She was stationed at McChord AFB and later at Offutt AFB. She flew as a passenger and crew support member on the President’s, (Ronald Reagan) E-4 aircraft, nicknamed the “Nightwatch” (National Airborne Operations Center), which allowed her to visit many different countries. It was at Offutt AFB that she met her future husband, Bob, and they were married on June 20, 1987. After Bob and Jean finished their time in the Air Force, Bob began a job in 1992 with McDonnell Douglas in Taif, Saudi Arabia, where Jean experienced life as a woman in a Muslim country. Three years later, they moved to Iowa, living in Cedar Rapids, Mason City, and Fort Dodge. Jean worked as an administrative assistant in medical clinics in Mason City before moving to Fort Dodge with her husband and children. While raising their children, Jean volunteered at their schools and discovered her passion for teaching and helping students. She became a certified para-educator, working with special needs students, a role she loved, and who loved her in return.

Jean brought love and joy into every room she entered. Even with her degenerative rheumatoid arthritis, Jean fought through her pain and disabilities to ensure everyone else was happy and enjoying themselves. Whether through a long conversation on the phone or a friendly email exchange, Jean was always bright and sunny.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Robert (“Bob”) Bruce Walston; her children, James “Jim”Walston; Joseph (Jada) Walston of Fort Dodge, IA, and Amy Walston of Fort Dodge, IA; and her cherished grandson, Will Walston.

Jean is survived by her mother, Coriene (Crapser) Tevis of Marion, IA; her siblings, Jay Tevis of Tampa, FL; Jim (Julie) Tevis of Marion, IA; Jayne (Dan) Rouse of Cedar Rapids, IA; Joe (Justine) Tevis of Omaha, NE; and Jeremy Tevis of St. Joseph, MI. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss her dearly.

Additionally, she is survived by her mother-in-law, Patricia “Pat” Walston; her sister-in-law, Cathy (Walston) Johnson; her stepmother-in-law, Marilyn Walston; and her father-in-law, Wallace “Wally” Patton.

Jean was preceded in death by her father, Evan “Jake” Tevis; her infant brother, Joshua Tevis; her brother, John Tevis; her sister-in-law, Jackie (Jay) Tevis; her stepfather-in-law, Larry Walston; and her stepmother-in-law, Roberta “Bobbi” Patton.