Joan L. “Mariah” Von Stein wore many hats during her 68 years. She was an important spiritual leader in the community and provided nurturing and support through her retail shop and counseling over the past two decades. Among her many interests and callings were politics, historic preservation, Jungian psychology, old world religions, herbalism, gardening, astrology, and drumming. She was an extraordinary mentor, counselor, teacher, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was born November 30th, 1947, to Paul Alan Emmeck and Lenore Elizabeth Peters in near Jefferson, Iowa. Joan’s family moved with her father’s hospitality career to several Iowa towns during her childhood. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966.
Joan earned her BA degree from Drake University in the early 1970’s while raising two young boys as a single mother. After graduating, she worked with the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus in the mid-1970’s. She then went on to run for political office in 1978, open an antique lighting store, and publish the Iowa Legislative News Service in the early 80’s. During this same time, Joan was one of the pioneering forces behind the historic designation and preservation of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Her passion for Carl Jung’s teachings took her to San Francisco’s California Institute of Integrated Studies where she achieved a Masters in East-West Psychology during the 1990’s and practiced Wicca in the Reclaiming tradition with her mentor and friend, the writer and earth activist Starhawk.
She returned to Des Moines and started Ancient Ways, an eclectic bookstore and counseling center. During the past 18 years, she enriched the Des Moines community by introducing herbalism, African drumming, Jung-based personal counseling, and classes in many ancient practices.
Her friends fondly remember her gliding walk, her generous wisdom, and her voice. She had an aesthetic sense which gave her extraordinary abilities when it came to gardening and creating beautiful spaces. Mariah was truly unique and will be missed by many.
She passed from this life on February 13, 2016.
Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth and Donna, her mother, and her father.
Surviving immediate family include sons Todd and Darrin Von Stein; grandsons Michael and Noah Von Stein along with their mother, Jill; sister Norma Jontz and her husband Dewey; nephew Craig Jontz; and niece Debbie (Jontz) Mazza. Also surviving are many friends and community members who supported and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 243-5221. Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in south Des Moines on Sunday, February 21st. There will be a potluck from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony.
At her request, memorial contributions in care of Jon A. White Memorial Wildlife Habitat and Meditation Garden, West Bank, 1601 22nd St – Suite 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Obituary & photo published by Hamilton’s Funeral Home
She was born November 30th, 1947, to Paul Alan Emmeck and Lenore Elizabeth Peters in near Jefferson, Iowa. Joan’s family moved with her father’s hospitality career to several Iowa towns during her childhood. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966.
Joan earned her BA degree from Drake University in the early 1970’s while raising two young boys as a single mother. After graduating, she worked with the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus in the mid-1970’s. She then went on to run for political office in 1978, open an antique lighting store, and publish the Iowa Legislative News Service in the early 80’s. During this same time, Joan was one of the pioneering forces behind the historic designation and preservation of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Her passion for Carl Jung’s teachings took her to San Francisco’s California Institute of Integrated Studies where she achieved a Masters in East-West Psychology during the 1990’s and practiced Wicca in the Reclaiming tradition with her mentor and friend, the writer and earth activist Starhawk.
She returned to Des Moines and started Ancient Ways, an eclectic bookstore and counseling center. During the past 18 years, she enriched the Des Moines community by introducing herbalism, African drumming, Jung-based personal counseling, and classes in many ancient practices.
Her friends fondly remember her gliding walk, her generous wisdom, and her voice. She had an aesthetic sense which gave her extraordinary abilities when it came to gardening and creating beautiful spaces. Mariah was truly unique and will be missed by many.
She passed from this life on February 13, 2016.
Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth and Donna, her mother, and her father.
Surviving immediate family include sons Todd and Darrin Von Stein; grandsons Michael and Noah Von Stein along with their mother, Jill; sister Norma Jontz and her husband Dewey; nephew Craig Jontz; and niece Debbie (Jontz) Mazza. Also surviving are many friends and community members who supported and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 243-5221. Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in south Des Moines on Sunday, February 21st. There will be a potluck from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony.
At her request, memorial contributions in care of Jon A. White Memorial Wildlife Habitat and Meditation Garden, West Bank, 1601 22nd St – Suite 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Obituary & photo published by Hamilton’s Funeral Home
Joan L. “Mariah” Von Stein wore many hats during her 68 years. She was an important spiritual leader in the community and provided nurturing and support through her retail shop and counseling over the past two decades. Among her many interests and callings were politics, historic preservation, Jungian psychology, old world religions, herbalism, gardening, astrology, and drumming. She was an extraordinary mentor, counselor, teacher, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was born November 30th, 1947, to Paul Alan Emmeck and Lenore Elizabeth Peters in near Jefferson, Iowa. Joan’s family moved with her father’s hospitality career to several Iowa towns during her childhood. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966.
Joan earned her BA degree from Drake University in the early 1970’s while raising two young boys as a single mother. After graduating, she worked with the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus in the mid-1970’s. She then went on to run for political office in 1978, open an antique lighting store, and publish the Iowa Legislative News Service in the early 80’s. During this same time, Joan was one of the pioneering forces behind the historic designation and preservation of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Her passion for Carl Jung’s teachings took her to San Francisco’s California Institute of Integrated Studies where she achieved a Masters in East-West Psychology during the 1990’s and practiced Wicca in the Reclaiming tradition with her mentor and friend, the writer and earth activist Starhawk.
She returned to Des Moines and started Ancient Ways, an eclectic bookstore and counseling center. During the past 18 years, she enriched the Des Moines community by introducing herbalism, African drumming, Jung-based personal counseling, and classes in many ancient practices.
Her friends fondly remember her gliding walk, her generous wisdom, and her voice. She had an aesthetic sense which gave her extraordinary abilities when it came to gardening and creating beautiful spaces. Mariah was truly unique and will be missed by many.
She passed from this life on February 13, 2016.
Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth and Donna, her mother, and her father.
Surviving immediate family include sons Todd and Darrin Von Stein; grandsons Michael and Noah Von Stein along with their mother, Jill; sister Norma Jontz and her husband Dewey; nephew Craig Jontz; and niece Debbie (Jontz) Mazza. Also surviving are many friends and community members who supported and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 243-5221. Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in south Des Moines on Sunday, February 21st. There will be a potluck from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony.
At her request, memorial contributions in care of Jon A. White Memorial Wildlife Habitat and Meditation Garden, West Bank, 1601 22nd St – Suite 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Obituary & photo published by Hamilton’s Funeral Home
She was born November 30th, 1947, to Paul Alan Emmeck and Lenore Elizabeth Peters in near Jefferson, Iowa. Joan’s family moved with her father’s hospitality career to several Iowa towns during her childhood. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966.
Joan earned her BA degree from Drake University in the early 1970’s while raising two young boys as a single mother. After graduating, she worked with the Iowa Women’s Political Caucus in the mid-1970’s. She then went on to run for political office in 1978, open an antique lighting store, and publish the Iowa Legislative News Service in the early 80’s. During this same time, Joan was one of the pioneering forces behind the historic designation and preservation of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Her passion for Carl Jung’s teachings took her to San Francisco’s California Institute of Integrated Studies where she achieved a Masters in East-West Psychology during the 1990’s and practiced Wicca in the Reclaiming tradition with her mentor and friend, the writer and earth activist Starhawk.
She returned to Des Moines and started Ancient Ways, an eclectic bookstore and counseling center. During the past 18 years, she enriched the Des Moines community by introducing herbalism, African drumming, Jung-based personal counseling, and classes in many ancient practices.
Her friends fondly remember her gliding walk, her generous wisdom, and her voice. She had an aesthetic sense which gave her extraordinary abilities when it came to gardening and creating beautiful spaces. Mariah was truly unique and will be missed by many.
She passed from this life on February 13, 2016.
Joan was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth and Donna, her mother, and her father.
Surviving immediate family include sons Todd and Darrin Von Stein; grandsons Michael and Noah Von Stein along with their mother, Jill; sister Norma Jontz and her husband Dewey; nephew Craig Jontz; and niece Debbie (Jontz) Mazza. Also surviving are many friends and community members who supported and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 243-5221. Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in south Des Moines on Sunday, February 21st. There will be a potluck from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony.
At her request, memorial contributions in care of Jon A. White Memorial Wildlife Habitat and Meditation Garden, West Bank, 1601 22nd St – Suite 100, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Obituary & photo published by Hamilton’s Funeral Home
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