Obituary of Frances May McLean

Frances May Lenz McLean passed peacefully in her sleep on April 18, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospital.

She was born at home in rural West Liberty on January 14, 1935.  She graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1953. She married Charles Lee McLean of Lone Tree on November 13, 1954. They lived in Lone Tree until 1969 when they moved to their beloved home “Big Red” north of Hills, where she lived until April 2019 when she moved to an independent living apartment at Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa.

Frances started work as a secretary at the University of Iowa, then became the principal’s secretary at Lone Tree High School and retired as the principal’s secretary at West High in Iowa City. She also worked as a secretary for Jostens after retirement. She volunteered at Atrium Village before and after moving there. She was also a professional seamstress before her daughters started school.

She was an avid gardener, amazing cook and loved animals, especially the many cats that came to their home and two special dogs. She also enjoyed all kinds of music events and travel. She adored her grandchildren and supported them in all their activities.

Survivors include two daughters – Wendy (Bob) Pusey of Iowa City and Teresa (Dennis) Lukaszewicz of Cedar Rapids. She was blessed by four grandchildren – Nathan (Krystal) Pusey, James (Audrey) Pusey, Tim (Bekki) Johnson and Kathryn (fiancé J.J. Harm) Pusey and four step-grandchildren – Shannon (Charlie) Franck, Jodi (Terry) Ballard, Cori Lukaszewicz and Amanda Cooper and many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She also considered Roger and Lu Hileman and their daughters and four grandchildren to be part of her family. She is also survived by two sisters, Phyllis Temple and Eunice (Ken) Brenneman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, brother Don Jenks and sister, Margie Watkinson.

Memorial services will be held at 10 am Friday, April 26, 2024, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City followed by a time of fellowship and visitation. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in her memory to Hills Atrium Village.