- Date Of Birth: July 15, 1926
- Date Of Death: December 7, 2021
- State: Iowa
Jacqueline “Jackie” Jean Daetwiler Rood, age 95, went to be with the Lord the morning of December 7, 2021 as she rested peacefully in the arms of her beloved husband, Clifford Rood. For many years Jackie suffered from muscular degeneration and a degenerative bone issue which eventually required that she and Cliff move to Independent Village Care facility in 2018. Prior to that, her favorite residence for twenty years was a Town-Home in West Des Moines, which Jackie decorated beautifully. Despite her physical infirmities, which became more pronounced through the years, Jackie maintained her fierce independence. She was adamant about having a definite say in medical decisions regarding her care. Jackie’s mind remained sharp and although she was sweet about it, she wasn’t shy about stating her opinions.
Jackie was born on July 15, 1926 in Herington, KS to Alvin and Leah Daetwiler. She was the fourth of six children. As part of a large family on a farm she, alongside her brothers and sisters, were very active assisting their parents in the running of the farm. Jackie graduated from Herington High School in 1944. Following High School she attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Wichita, KS, graduating in 1947. In 1948, she was recruited to be the Superintendent (Administrator) of Herington Municipal Hospital. That same year she was married to Chad Wymer. To this union were born three children: Joette, Kevin and Craig. In 1957, the family moved to Olathe, KS and Jackie worked as a staff nurse and assistant director of nursing at Olathe Community Hospital. In 1962, the family moved to Great Bend, KS where Jackie worked mainly as a homemaker but also worked part-time as a replacement office nurse in a physician’s office. In 1964, the family moved again, this time to Las Cruces, NM. Jackie took a six week course to update her nursing skills and from 1964-1968 she taught Nursing Arts and Pediatrics at the Las Cruces School of Licensed Practical Nursing. Once again, the family was on the move and headed to Council Bluffs, IA where she went to work for Mercy Hospital. After only three months her husband was transferred, again, this time to Des Moines, IA. In 1969, she worked as a PRN nurse at Iowa Methodist Hospital. It was very difficult work mentally and physically and so she answered a newspaper advertisement for the job of utilization and benefit administration nurse. After her marriage ended in 1973, she applied for a position with Blue Cross (Des Moines Office) as a billing analyst and kept that position for 21 years retiring in 1991.
It was while living in the same apartment building that she met her future husband Cliff Rood. Jackie was a member of West Des Moines Christian Church and she encouraged Cliff to join the church and share with her Christian worship. They were married on February 29, 1980, a date Jackie chose, exposing her humorous side. Cliff and Jackie became active members in this church. In later years, with her health declining, Jackie listened to numerous Christian TV programs. Like many of us she had her favorite hymns.
Cliff and Jackie were married for 41 years and traveled extensively. In retirement they enjoyed hiking on numerous National Park trails, wintering in Arizona, attending Cubs games, golfing and enjoying several ocean cruises.
Some of Jackie’s favorite pastimes were sewing, golfing and gardening. Her flower gardens were beautiful and much admired by friends and neighbors. She also loved doing counted-cross-stitch and had many of her beautiful projects framed and hanging in their home. For many years, Jackie was a member of two Bridge clubs and enjoyed the challenges of the game along with the friends she acquired. It was Muscular Degeneration that caused her withdrawal from active participation of these social groups yet she continued to maintain her friendships with the members.
Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Cliff; daughter, Joette Miner; son, Craig (Kim) Wymer, two grandchildren, Wendy Miner and Matt Miner and five great-grandchildren, Jimmy and Jenna Twohig, Josephine and Sophie Miner and Nick Johnston; her daughter-in-law, Judy Wymer; her brother, Richard Daetwiler; stepson, Rod (Louise) Rood, their six children and seven grandchildren; stepson, Randy (Cassie) Rood and their three children and five grandchildren; stepdaughter, Rhonda Phillips (Denny-deceased) their three children and 15 grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents; three sisters; one brother and her son, Kevin.
