Jolene M. Gehlin

Jolene Gehlin, 89, of LeClaire, IA, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024, with her daughters by her side.

She was born September 10, 1934, near Galesburg, IL, to Leslie and Harriet Winsauer.  After high school in Galesburg and a brief time at the University of Illinois, Jolene worked in Chicago, where she met and married Carl Gehlin, with whom she had two daughters, Linda and Laura.  The family moved several times, including to Shippensburg, PA, where Jolene was an active member of the Chambersburg Bible Church and her daughters attended elementary school, and another move to DeWitt, IA, where she was an integral part of the DeWitt Christian Church and her girls attended high school.  Jolene finally settled in Le Claire, IA, where she spent the last decade of her life as a beloved member of the LeClaire Baptist Church and continued to enjoy her daughters, her grandchildren, her plants, and her peace and quiet.

Inspired by her father’s architectural career, Jolene pursued an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical and Architectural Drafting, then worked for many years as a draftsman.  Later in life she chose to further her formal education and she earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University.

Jolene was first and foremost a nurturer and a mother – the sort her daughters’ friends were inclined to call “Mom.”  She attended every school performance, drove her daughters to events, activities, and early jobs without complaint, and welcomed her daughters’ friends into her home without reservation and made them feel at ease.  Over the years, she also shared her home with a young cousin and a foster daughter when they needed her support, guidance, and encouragement.

Jolene understood the importance of being a very present mother, due to her own parents’ inability to be there for her due to her father’s World War II service and her mother’s frequent lengthy hospitalizations when she was a child. She modeled independence and strength of character and allowed her daughters to go and live their own lives, knowing that she was always there for them, no matter what.

She held a variety of paid and unpaid positions throughout her life, but the ones that were the most meaningful to her were teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, and any way she was able to work with and support children. These were informed by her strong faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  Her faith guided her in life and gives confidence now in her passing.

Jolene is survived by her brother, Robert Winsauer; her daughters, Linda (Dean) Roberts and Laura Gehlin Powers; her grandchildren, Will Roberts, Sebastian Powers, Rose Powers, and Lilly Powers; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Her passing also leaves its mark on many friends and neighbors who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held at the LeClaire Baptist Church, 1326 Wisconsin St., LeClaire, IA 52753, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m.  For those unable to attend the service in person, a livestream will be made available.  Jolene will be interred beside her parents in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Foosland, IL, in a graveside ceremony on a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the LeClaire Baptist Church or any organization that serves and supports children.