DELORES JEAN DURANT
Delores Jean Durant, 84, of Wyaconda, passed away peacefully at her family’s home in Newton, Iowa, Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Jean was born, in the childhood home, on June 5, 1941 to Arthur Orville Steele and Letha Belle (Lawson) Steele in Wyaconda, Missouri, where she grew up with her parents and siblings on the family farm. She earned her high school degree from Wyaconda Missouri B1 consolidated school with the class of 1959. Jean was baptized in 1952 at the Wyaconda Christian Church.
Jean spent most of her adult life in Newton, Iowa. She was active in the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church serving as their financial secretary.
In her working life, Jean was employed by Nollen‘s Drug and Gift store, where she earned her bridal registry certification, The Newton Motor Inn & Restaurant and the Vernon Company before ending her career with the Maytag Company. Jean had several hobbies that she enjoyed throughout her life. She loved to sing and play the piano. As a girl she sang in the choir at the Wyaconda Christian Church. She continued to sing in the choir at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Newton as an adult. She also sang and played piano at home, where she instilled her love of music to her children.
She gained an interest in Bluegrass music and began promoting a local festival. She continued promoting Bluegrass by running several surrounding festivals for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA). She also used her love of music by singing and playing bass with a local bluegrass band.
Jean had a lifelong love of multiple sports. She played basketball in school and continued to cheer on her favorite teams with her family, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Jean was an avid antique tractor pulling fan and participant and was a member of the Laplanders TP association. She continued pulling until the age of 82. Jean earned many trophies throughout her life and made many lifelong friends. Her last pull was at the Wyaconda Missouri Antique Tractor Pull where she volunteered her time. She took 3rd place in the Antique 3500lb class at her last pull. Jean attended Metz Community Church and Cowboy Church in Newton, Iowa. When her health failed, she listened online every Sunday.
Left to honor her memory are her children Douglas (Debbie) Durant, Deborah (Richard) Salas and Daniel (Michele) Durant; 13 grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Lisovich, Thomas (Tonia) Stevens, Bridget (Alfredo) Gonzalez, Jonathan (Ashley) Durant, Adrianne (Del) Salas, Jherica Hensley, Sarah Fricke, Danielle (Josh) McGhghy, Clayton (Ashley) Miller, Cassidy Mathews, Cody Miller, Diana Miller, Deborah Tegtmeier; 27 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, siblings Yvonne, (Larry) LaFrenz, Linda (Junior) Bertram and John Arthur (Brenda) Steele as well as several nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Jean was proceeded in death by her life, partner, Dennis Perry, parents, Arthur and Letha Belle (Lawson) Steele, grandparents, John Arthur and Sarah Daisy (Found) Steele and Thomas and Rosa (Day) Lawson, daughter, Diana Kay Stevens, grandson, James Arthur Stevens, sister and brother-in-law Barbara Ann and Jim Bowman, niece, Casey Lynn Bertram, great nephew, Luke A. Brown, great grandchildren Myla and Brian, and best friends Marilyn Versteegh and Jane Ann Clifton.
The family wishes to give a special thank you to Mercy Hospice for the amazing care and love they gave to our mom and the support they gave to us all during mom’s illness and passing.
Funeral Services for Delores Jean Durant will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home, Kahoka, MO. Pastor David Rex will officiate. Burial will follow at the Wyaconda Cemetery, Wyaconda, MO. Visitation with family present will be held at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am. Memorials in memory of Delores Durant are suggested to First Christian Church of Wyaconda or Metz Community Church.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.wilsontriplett.com
