Jolene Marie Cortney Schwery was born May 6, 1951, in Creston Community Hospital, Union County, Creston, Iowa. Her death came peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the age of 72 years, 10 months and 18 days. She graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, with a BFA in Interior Design, in 1988. Jolene worked as a kitchen designer for several years and at many jobs in which several had to do with drawing and drafting. Her last full-time job that she retired from was working as an Engineering Technician at the City of Ankeny, in 2013. She very much enjoyed being retired.

Jolene was married for 10 years to James J. Schmitt. To this union a son was born, Allan J. and a daughter, Melissa R. (who died at the age of 5 of spinal meningitis.) Jolene and Jim divorced after this loss. Jolene decided to go to college a short time later. She started at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 1982. She transferred to Iowa State University in 1984 to study Design.

Jolene was the wife of Lyle A. Schwery, of St. Charles, Iowa. Lyle and Jolene met in 1998 at a Beginning Experience Program, where they found peace of mind, joy, friendship, and for them, a lifetime on their "little piece of Iowa Heaven." It showed in the way they care of all the buildings, garden, flower beds, trees, and land, keeping them in pristine shape.

Jolene's other loves are her family. She gave all she could for them, whether it was advice or her love and time, especially the 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Jolene is survived by her husband, Lyle A. Schwery; son Allan J. Schmitt (Emily) of Gilbertville, Iowa; 3 step-sons, Kevin M. Schwery (Bri) of Portland, Maine, Benjamin J. Schwery (Molly) of Lagrangeville, New York, and Josef G. Schwery (Krista) of Osceola, Iowa; grandchildren, Avallon L. Schmitt, Eragon J. Schmitt, and Carrick W. Schmitt; step-grandchildren, Aric O. Schwery (Ashley), Erin L. Schwery, Autumn M. Schwery, Tegan M. Schwery, Brayden L. Schwery, Chayden H. Schwery, Finnegan J. Schwery, Thomas O. Schwery, William G. Schwery, Samuel C. Schwery and Colin R. Schwery; two great-grandsons, Luke O. Schwery and Beau H. Schwery; brother, J. Max Cortner (Shirley) of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; sister, Dixie A. Hansen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jolene was preceded in death by her daughter, Melissa R. Schmitt; parents, James Cortner and Rose A. (Wyckoff) Cortner; step-mother, Frances (Weston) Cortner; sister, Joy L. Kinney; and brother, James H. Dueling.

Jolene was active in her church and loved to sing in the choir. She enjoyed gardening in her numerous flower beds, caring for their house full of plants, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, photography, traveling, creating and repairing dollhouses, and keeping up the Wyckoff family history. Her biggest passion was art and became quite well-known locally for her sketches, drawings and paintings. She sold much of her work and often donated specialty pieces for many non-profit organizations to assist in fundraising. Jolene began repairing some of her own statues and then began to repair and restore statues for her church and others. She enjoyed the challenge of trying to give the piece its original look. She also loved to use her field of study and talent whenever she had the opportunity, in decorating and designing homes for others. Her art showed in all she did and was usually found in her studio/sewing room or sunroom (her second studio) at home.

May God bless her and her family as they go through the passing of Jolene. May they know that she is watching over them and helping Mother Nature decorate the world.

Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Saint Marys, with burial following in the Saint Marys Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, March 31, at the Saint Marys Hall, with Reciting of the Rosary begining at 7:30 p.m.