Jane Louise Hamilton

Jane Louise Hamilton, 90, of Des Moines, IA, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025. She finished her final sewing project 10 days before her passing. Jane's life was marked by her adaptability—moving many times—and her lifelong passion for sewing, earning her the nickname "The Quilt Lady." Her college graduation gift, a Singer Sewing machine, became a loyal companion, used to create clothing, draperies, and home decor items. Her specialty became quilted jackets, of which she made over 50. Her greatest accomplishments were raising two children, navigating countless transitions with resilience, and maintaining a creative spirit.

Jane Louise Nichols was born on July 21, 1935, in Corning, Iowa, to F.H. and Mary Nichols. The family moved to Des Moines in 1942. After attending Hubbell Elementary, Callanan Junior High, and Roosevelt High School, she graduated from Iowa State College in 1958 with a degree in Home Economics Education and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She began her career teaching in Clear Lake before marrying her college sweetheart, Bill Green, an Ensign in the Navy. The family moved frequently across the United States and even lived in Japan. Scott was born in Des Moines in 1960, and Julie was born in Japan in 1961. Julie's birth was dramatic, with Jane almost dying and Bill being airlifted from his destroyer in the Sea of Japan to support her. In 1970, Jane and the children moved back to her parents’ home in Des Moines. Jane and Bill divorced and Bill passed away in 1972. Jane settled in Franklin Court and started working as an underwriter at Bankers Life.

As a single parent, Jane successfully raised Scott and Julie, who both graduated from Roosevelt in the late ’70s—Scott, who eventually became head of the Boulder Google office, and Julie, who became a well-regarded artist and professor at Oregon State University. Jane married, and eventually divorced, George Carey. She found true happiness with Jim Hamilton, enjoying ten years of marriage before his passing. Jane also worked as a savings counselor at Midland and found great pleasure in helping people with their financial matters. After Jim’s passing, she moved to Scottish Rite Park, a wonderful place to live.

She is survived by her son, Scott Green, and his wife, Cindy, and their daughters, Emily and Rachel Green. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Clay Lohmann, husband of her late daughter, Julie Green, and by Jim’s sons from a previous marriage, William and Tom Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Frederick William (Bill) Green, III; her daughter, Julie Green; and her beloved husband, James Dean (Jim) Hamilton.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Scottish Rite Park Nursing Home. Inurnment will follow at the Grace United Methodist Church Memorial Garden in Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311