Jean R. Hagert Dow

Jean Rose Hagert Dow, a former Ames High School art teacher and local artist, died February 23, 2025, in Davenport, Iowa. She was 94.

From 1972 to 1995, she taught drawing, painting, photography and computer art at Ames High. She also spent time each day painting in her home art studio overlooking Munn Woods, and her colorful, abstract artwork graces the walls of many Ames buildings.

Jean’s teaching career began in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Plymouth County, Iowa, where she was hired after completing a two-year elementary education degree at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, in 1950. Later she was a grade-school teacher in the Le Mars and Hinton public school districts, and Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars.

In 1969 she entered the art education bachelor’s degree program at Iowa State University and was assigned a student teaching placement at Ames High. She graduated from ISU in 1971 and was soon employed at the high school. For a few years, she split her days teaching art classes at Edwards Elementary and Ames High.

She spent two summers studying art in Venice, Italy, as part of her New York University studio art master’s program, and received her MFA in 1982.

After retiring from teaching, Jean volunteered with many civic organizations. She was a member of the Ames Parks and Recreation Commission, served as her west Ames neighborhood’s liaison to the Ames City Council, collected samples on area creeks for the Story County Water Quality Monitoring Program, helped cook and serve meals to the homeless, was a hospice volunteer, and served on several committees at the Ames Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

She enrolled in numerous art classes around the region and had her paintings displayed in juried art shows across Iowa. In 1973, her creative rug tapestry was the textiles division first-place winner at the Iowa State Fair.

On December 1, 1930, Jean and her twin sister, Joan, were born to Della Mae, née Rose, and Romain Valentine Henrich on a farm near Geddes, South Dakota. Jean and her five siblings spent much of their childhoods on the Henrich family farm near Struble, Iowa, and she graduated from Le Mars High School in 1948.

Over the years, Jean had many wonderful dog companions, and loved taking them on long walks in parks, Munn Woods and her neighborhood. She was an avid flower gardener, birdwatcher and sports fan (including cheering on the Cyclones).

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; brother Charles Peter Henrich of Becker, MN; and infant grandson Jeremiah Hagert.

She is survived by her twin sister, Joan Jackson of Denver, CO, and sisters Mary Frances Campbell of Le Mars, Doris Bordiere of Jacksonville, FL, and Polly (Robert) DeSormier of Orlando, FL. Other survivors include her children Mary Lee (Karl) Isely, Crystal Hagert and James Hagert. Grandchildren Abbey Jean (Matthew) Rardin, Benjamin Hagert, Zachary (Taylor) Hagert, Christopher Isely and Kevin Isely. Great-grandchildren Hunter, Emersyn and Jace Hagert, Kaley Jean and Libby Jo Rardin, and Penelope Hagert. And her beloved dog MiMi.

There will be a celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ames. Interment will take place at Ontario Cemetery in west Ames. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.