Obituary

Mary Helen Jaeger, 81, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at Edencrest in Johnston, Iowa. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines. Services will immediately follow at 1:00 pm, with the burial held at Resthaven Mausoleum following the service.

Mary was born on September 15, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frank and Mary (Porath) Perl. She married Ronald Gordon Jaeger on May 6, 1961. Mary was a homemaker for many years until she decided to return to school in 1976 to pursue a degree in nursing. She attended Drake University and Mercy College of Nursing, graduating in 1980 as a registered nurse. Mary enjoyed riding horses for many years, with a special love for her horse, Chester. Mary and her husband Ron founded Chicago Speakeasy in 1978, and Mary enjoyed working Friday nights in her latter years. After losing Ron in 2002, she settled in Johnston, Iowa, where she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson.

Mary is survived by her four children; Julie Moore, Jeffrey (Renee) Jaeger, John (Laurence) Jaeger, and Jennifer (Scott) Scothorn; her grandchildren, Megan (Mark) Weber, Ashley Jaeger, Courtney Jaeger, Jayme Jaeger, Jeffrey Jaeger Jr., Sydney Scothorn, Nichlus Jaeger, Zachary Scothorn, Roman Jaeger; her great-grandson, Joseph Weber; her sister, Candy (Richard) Bordelon; her niece, Rachael (David) Settle; her grandniece, Charlotte Settle; her grandnephews, Michael and Andrew Settle; and her sister-in-law, Audrey Mathieu. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Jaeger; her mother and father, Frank and Mary Perl; and her brother, Frederick Perl.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Puppy Jake Foundation in Mary’s honor.

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