12/21/2020
Mary Jo (Schell) Iverson of Scottsdale, Arizona and West Des Moines, Iowa passed away on December 21, 2020.
Mary Jo was born in Duluth, Minnesota on July 5, 1935 to Henry and Dorothy Schell. She joined her brother David, who was only fifteen months older. Dorothy would often dress them alike; prompting many comments of “You have such cute twins!”
The family of four moved frequently to accommodate Henry’s job with the Internal Revenue Service, but eventually landed in Knoxville, Iowa where they joined Mary Jo’s extended family.
The Schell kids blossomed in their new home. Mary Jo was the majorette in the high school band, entertaining the crowd by twirling batons of fire. After graduation, Mary Jo initially attended Lindenwood College (an all-girls school), but quickly realized she missed the boys and transferred to Iowa State. At Iowa State she received her B.A. in home economics and greatly enjoyed all the opportunities to get dressed up that sorority life provided.
Although she had numerous suitors, her heart was stolen by John Iverson whom she met through her brother David. Both felt they had hit the jackpot and they were married in 1957.
The couple made their home in Des Moines. John began his career with Gibbs Cook Equipment Company and Mary Jo taught home economics in Waukee schools until the birth of their first daughter, Terilyn, in 1960. Their second daughter, Patrice was born in 1963.
Mary Jo was involved with the Junior League of Des Moines for many years. The League enabled her to contribute to her community and form many lifelong friendships.
Mary Jo always loved clothes and with the ever present encouragement of John, she opened “Dressings on Fifth” with her partner, Jeanne Kirke.
Mary Jo had a lot of fun on buying trips and helping other women look fabulous. She opened her final shop, MJI Ltd., in the late 1980s. MJI Ltd. was also a labor of love and allowed her to work on something she truly enjoyed.
Mary Jo showed exemplary strength as she walked alongside John during his long and painful battle with scleroderma. Theirs was a true love affair until John’s death in 1993. In his death, she lost her champion and best friend.
After John’s death, Mary Jo bravely closed her store and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. She joined the Terravita Community, where she made many great friends and found happiness in a new home.
Her brother David, soon joined her at Terravita with his wife, Trish, a very dear friend to Mary Jo. Her daughter, Terri, also moved to Scottsdale from Illinois, enabling them to spend lots of time together.
Mary Jo loved her granddaughters, Madeline and Isabelle. Each would come visit “Nana” in Scottsdale. The whole clan would often share a beach vacation in Michigan or Florida where Mary Jo would love to walk to the beaches.
Mary Jo lived a charmed and beautiful life for many, many years. She loved creating beautiful spaces and sharing them with others.
Mary Jo is survived by her brother and his wife, David and Trish, her daughter, Terilyn, of Scottsdale, AZ, daughter Patrice of Wheaton, IL, Bob Scarborough of Chicago, IL granddaughters, Madeline Scarborough of Denver, CO and Isabelle Scarborough of Boston, MA.
Nieces and nephews: Dave/Becky Wilke of Elkader, IA; Steve/Ellen Wilke of Decorah, IA; Dan Wilke/Amy Dale of Evanston, IL; Mike/Jennifer Nordgaard of Portland, OR, Tim Nordgaard/ Barb Schlender of Minnetonka, MN; Sarah/Jamie Guild Merriam of Leawood, KS; Carla/Nate Lien Leawood, KS; Sam/Rise Iverson of Vancouver, BC. John Iverson of Prescott, AZ; Marc/Emily Bartels of Greenfield, MN. Scott Schell, Brad Schell, Cooper Schell and David/Lori Schell, all of Boulder, CO and Kelly/William Schell Harris of Genoa, NV.
Deceased: Peter Nordgaard and Susan Wilke.
In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Crimson Peaks, C/O Meryl Schmitz, 10027 E. Hillview Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85207.
Mary Jo spent her final months under the loving care of Meryl at Crimson Peaks. They treated her with love and dignity until the end.