Jean Elizabeth McCarthy

Jean was born on May 31, 1943, in Mt Pleasant, Iowa. She died peacefully at home on January 26, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 81 years old.

Jean was born during WWII while her father served in the Navy making multiple crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. He didn’t see Jean for the first time until she was one year old. For her first three years she and her mother lived with her maternal grandparents. This cemented her lifelong commitment to intergenerational cohesiveness; she served as the family leader of siblings and their children and grandchildren.

After the war, they moved to Washington, Iowa, first to Sunset Knoll Farm where her father managed an Angus cattle herd. Her sister and two brothers were born while living there, and the family moved onto an acreage at the edge of town where they could continue to keep livestock. Animals were a focus of her youth. Jean joined 4H early in her life, and was the first girl to join the boy’s chapter in Washington County so that she could show her beef calves at the County fair. She even showed the County Grand Champion Steer one year and then took it to the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The Rinner children were given their first pony, Bang, when Jean was seven years old, and she loved her big white horse, Thirteen, who she was given for her thirteenth birthday. 

Jean graduated from Washington High School in 1961, where she was in the National Honor Society, played flute in the band, and was a member of the Art and Thespians Clubs. Her favorite subject was Physics, and she planned to go to the University of Iowa to study science.

At the University of Iowa, Jean marched with the Scottish Highlanders playing the bagpipes and increased her interest in writing and literature. She graduated with a major in English in May of 1965. She received her certificate to teach all English levels as well as American Literature.

Jean met her husband Michael Lynn McCarthy at Washington High School. Their first date was at their junior prom. They dated, mostly from a distance through their college years. Jean and Mike married at St James Catholic Church in Washington, Iowa on August 29, 1964.

Their son, Christopher Michael McCarthy was born on December 25, 1965, in Davenport, Iowa, which was also on Mike’s birthday. They moved to Ottumwa, and she worked as a social worker for multiple years. They then relocated to Des Moines. Their daughter, Amy Jean McCarthy was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 28, 1971.

The family became active members at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines. Jean worked as the Liturgical Director for many years. She directed the Schola, taught RCIA (Rites of Catholic Initiation of Adults), participated in Cursillo, and was involved in multiple study groups. Jean and Mike went through the deaconate process together. Mike was ordained in February 1984. They worked together on many religious endeavors for the rest of their lives.

Jean felt called to lead in Christian service and decided to move on to graduate studies. She attended St John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and received her Master of Theology on September 1, 1988. The family visited her often and spent many summers swimming in the lake and enjoying the Minnesota weather.

In the late 1990s, Jean joined the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Iowa. She received her Master of Divinity from Seabury Western Seminary in Chicago on May 11, 2000. She was ordained a deacon on May 27, 2000, then ordained a priest on February 24, 2001, at St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa. She was called to serve as Rector at St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Des Moines, Iowa. She served there until her retirement on May 31, 2015. 

Priests may retire, but that doesn’t mean they leave their service to the Christian Community. After her retirement, Jean spent many years at Boone and Webster City Episcopal churches ministering to the communities there. She also filled in at many churches around the Des Moines metro area and surrounding cities. As a part of the larger national and international community, she continued to teach and to lead in many ways. 

Jean served as a mentor with EFM and Just Faith and taught many book and bible study classes. She was on the National Board of Just Faith and served as the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer for 20 years. She continued as a major creator of community until she passed.

Jean and Mike’s daughter, Amy Jean McCarthy married Jon Michael Rech on July 22, 1995, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Their two children are the beloved grandchildren of Jean and Mike. Granddaughter, Kathryn Michelle Rech, was born on June 15, 1999. Grandson, Christopher Michael Rech, was born on March 6, 2007.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents Donald L Rinner and Vaughn Belle Schlatter Rinner, and her son Christopher Michael McCarthy.

Jean is survived by her husband Michael McCarthy, her daughter Amy McCarthy Rech (married to husband Jon Rech), grandchildren Kathryn Rech and Christopher Rech, her 3 siblings Vaughn Belle Rinner (married to Tim Bell), Donald J Rinner (married to Joan Rinner) and Chris L Rinner (married to Diane Ford) along with 20 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at St Timothy’s Episcopal Church 1020 24th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266 on February 28, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Services will be held at the same place, St Timothy’s Episcopal Church, on March 1, 2025, at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed on YouTube.com on St Timothy’s channel @StTimothysIowa. Please click the link below in the videos section to view the livestream.

The interment will be held April 19, 2025, at Center Cemetery in Wayland, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Interfaith Alliance of Iowa at https://www.interfaithallianceiowa.org/donate, an organization that was very important to Jean.

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See. I am making all things new.”” (Revelation 21:5)