Dena Field-Jackson, 53, of Hedrick, Iowa and former resident of Fairhope, died April 15, 2013 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a courageous, hard-fought battle with leukemia.
She was born October 13, 1959 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Joseph and Bonnie Thompson Field. She married Dan Jackson on Nov. 20, 1982. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2009.
Dena was a graduate of the class of 1978 of Ottumwa High School. She grew up in the East End Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa, and had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa. While living in Fairhope, she was a member of the Celebration Church.
She had been a member of the International Order Rainbow for Girls Ottumwa Assembly No. 31. In January 1977, she was elected Worthy Advisor, and served her terms in good standing.
Dena was an Avon products consultant for more than 30 years, and had been an Estee Lauder consultant and Elizabeth Arden counter manager at Herberger’s.
In 2000, she moved to Fairhope, where she worked at the Grand Hotel, Point Clear as a beauty spa concierge. She worked at the Dollar General in Barnwell and at the All Baldwin Dry Cleaners in Fairhope.
Dena returned to the Ottumwa area in 2010.
Surviving are two sons, Joshua Jackson and Noah Jackson, both of Hedrick; two stepsons, Randy (Petra) Jackson of Kaiserslautern, Germany and Michael Jackson of Bettendorf, Iowa; a sister, Lori (Chester) Funk of Ottumwa; nephews and nieces, Zachary (fiancée Hillary Block) Field, Matthew Field, Bethany (fiancé Daniel Martin) Field, Aaron Field, Adam (Linda) Field, Toni (Joe) Mincey and Wayne Field; a great-niece, Tuyen Field; two sisters-in-law, Cindy Field and Linda Young; many cousins and her beloved cat, Bootsie.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Bonnie Ann “Sissy” Jackson; her parents; and three brothers, Stephen, Daniel and Russell Field.
Her body has been cremated.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2013, at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa, with the Rev. David Klanderman officiating. Visitation with the family present will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for her children’s education.
Arrangements by Reece Funeral Home, Ottumwa, Iowa.
