Jo Anne Malone Mead

Jo Anne Malone Mead

Born: Ames, Iowa 2/22/48 Parents: William Alfred Malone MS from ISU Pollie Mae Carter Malone MS from ISU Both parents were originally from Texas but Jo grew up in the midwest: Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. Living in many places helped Jo learn to meet people and to deal successfully with them. Her childhood was filled with school Girl Scouts music animals working on artistic projects and family trips to Texas that were filled with warm hospitality, farm experiences and good story telling.

While attending Fairmont West High School in Kettering Ohio she was active in band National Honor Society academic clubs Girls Recreation Assc. Girl Scouts and her church. The family moved to Ames, Iowa at the beginning of her senior year. At Ames H.S. she was active in the band school musical and was co-editor of the school newspaper. She graduated in 1966. Jo entered ISU as an Art Education major and graduated in Feb. of '70. She thoroughly enjoyed her major.

While at ISU she was a member of the art honorary Delta Phi Delta and another honorary Omicron Nu. She was president of the art club co-head for the student Applied Art Veishea display in '68 designer and co-head for the '68 Veishea Grand Prize float "Winnie the Pooh" had art work accepted in student shows and held several offices in her sorority Alpha Delta Pi. She married Dr. Steven James Mead (veterinarian) on 3/7/70.

They have made their home in Storm Lake Iowa since that time. Jo taught middle school art and senior high crafts for the Cherokee Comm. Schools from the Fall of '70 to Spring ‘72. She quit teaching to start a family. They have three living children: Joshua James '74 Marla Mae '77 and David Daniel '80. She considers her most important accomplishment is to raise them to be caring responsible people who are a value to society. Jo's most satisfying volunteer work has been with youth where her teaching skills can be put to good use and where she can give some direction to their lives.

She has given years of quality leadership to Girl Scouts Cub Scouts Boy Scouts 4-H church and school youth groups. Her other interests have been AAUW PEO, Iowa Veterinary Medical Auxiliary, church circle and Deacon for her church. Since '84 Jo has taught one to two art classes a year through her local art gallery and Iowa Central Community College. She became a library clerk for the Storm Lake Public Library in 8/93 and has enjoyed creating logos and displays for this job.

She also does independent art work for individuals. Calligraphy and drawing are her strongest areas. Her life has been full with individual accomplishments and surges of creativity. Her major source of joy so far in life is from her family. Sharing the high points and sorrows of life with her soul mate and husband Steve and guiding their children with love humor and firmness through the intricate maze of childhood to becoming responsible adults has given meaning to her life.

12/2/94