Jean Carriker was welcomed into heaven surrounded by her family on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Independence Village in Ankeny, Iowa.
Jean, the daughter of William Harrison Foster and Icel (Hayes) Foster, was born in 1924 on the family farm near Trenton, Missouri. She graduated from high school in 1942. The day after graduation, she took a train to Kansas City and began her first job as an elevator operator in an optometry office. She was soon hired as a teletype operator for the railroad at Union Station during WWII and later as a teletype operator for Swift Packing House.
While living in Kansas City, she married Jim Mulford. Four children were born to that union: David, Deb, Billie, and Ron. A job transfer for Jim brought the family to Oskaloosa in 1955, and later, Jim and Jean divorced. Jean’s first job in Oskaloosa was at McGregor Furniture Company. Over the years, she worked in the Clerk of Courts office and was employed by the Oskaloosa Herald, doing front page layouts.
Jean married Clay Carriker on May 8, 1968, at the First Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Jean was a helpful addition as a part-time employee for many years, filling various jobs at Carriker Ford. She and Clay became “snowbirds” and spent the winters in Cape Coral, Florida, and the summers in Oskaloosa. Clay and Jean belonged to Palmetto Pines Golf and Country Club in Cape Coral, where they enjoyed lots of golfing and dancing- two of her favorite pastimes! Jean loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was always up for any kind of adventure! She was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa and Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral, Florida.
Jean’s family includes her children: Deb and Daryl Fisher of Oskaloosa and Cape Coral, Florida, Billie and Kelly Cornish of Bondurant, and Ron and Julie Mulford of Taylor Falls, Minnesota and Cape Coral, Florida. Her stepchildren include Larry Carriker of Oskaloosa, Dennis and Sue Carriker of Cape Coral, Florida, and Vonnie and Carl Jones of Greenville, Ohio. Jean and Clay had 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Clay, her son, David, and her grandson, Danny Joe.
Jean was funny, kind, and loved unconditionally. She had a very strong faith in God, a grateful heart, and saw the good in everyone. Her beautiful smile and the twinkle in her eye were contagious!
Services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. The family will be present for visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. in the church narthex. A Celebration of Life Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. at University Park Cemetery. All are welcome. The family invites you to join them in wearing bright colors as we celebrate Jean’s life.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Danny Joe Memorial Golf Tournament, Children’s Cancer Connection, 5701 Greendale Road, Johnston, Iowa 50131
Special thanks to Langkamp Funeral Chapel, First Christian Church-Oskaloosa, Independence Village of Ankeny, and Suncrest Hospice.
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