Jacquelyn Christopher

Jacquelyn " Jackie" Ann Christopher passed into eternal life Saturday, August 25, 2012, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.


Jackie was born August 18, 1944, to Roy and LaVonne (Friesleben) Christopher in Hartley, Iowa. She was raised by her paternal great aunt Meta Bertram and her husband Ernest. Jackie was baptized at Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley, Iowa, on April 29, 1945, and was confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church on May 21, 1963, in Sheldon, Iowa.

Jackie received her formal education in Hartley, Iowa, and graduated from Sheldon High School in Sheldon, Iowa, in June of 1963. After graduation, she worked in the nursing profession for a couple of years.

Jackie had one son, Daniel John Christopher. She was joined in marriage to Gary Dean Specht on July 19, 1965. To this union were born three daughters, Lynette Ann, Cathleen Renee and Kristine Lou.

Jackie and her husband Gary owned an auto repair business for a number of years in Duvall, Washington. She also worked at the Duvall Hardware and Lumber Store.

After Gary lost his life due to a boating accident in 1981 in western Washington, Jackie returned to Iowa to raise her children and be closer to family. Jackie became a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic in April of 2004.

She was employed at Delong's and Fareway and had her own house cleaning service in Atlantic. Her health started to fail and she retired in 2001.

Jackie enjoyed her garden and canning the vegetables. She also had a flower garden she valued. She liked NASCAR races, feeding and watching birds and squirrels, and crocheting. Jackie was an avid reader. She also enjoyed painting and redecorating. More recently, Jackie spent her time keeping in touch with friends and family on Facebook and spending time with her precious companion, Alex, her cat.

Preceding her into eternal life were her husband, Gary Specht; her parents, Roy and LaVonne Christopher; her beloved Great Aunt and Uncle Bertram; and her beloved Aunts, Otie and Ruthie.
Left to cherish her life and memory are her son, Daniel Christopher; her daughters, Lynette Specht of Libby, Montana, Cathleen Hansen of West Des Moines and Kristine (Chris) Karns of Anita; her grandchildren, Caitlan McCoy of Ankeny, Cassidy and Crystal McCoy of Libby, Montana, Michaela and Kyle and Cory Hansen of West Des Moines and Jordan Winther of Anita; her sister, Betty (Mike) Crabb of Missouri; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenny (Jolene) Specht of Paulina, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A scriptural wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made, in lieu of flowers, to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or your local Humane Society or animal shelter, in Jackie's name.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.