Jillene Marie Streets
May 13, 1947 - March 27, 2019

Jillene Marie (Caven) Streets, 71, of Maquoketa was called home on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 6:30 a.m., following a courageous battle with cancer. She was not ready to leave us, but her body gave her no choice. We find comfort in the strong faith she instilled in us, and the peace she knew awaited her in heaven. It was a blessing to have the assistance of Jackson County Hospice, to help us bring her home in her final days. In accordance to her wishes, Carson and Sons Funeral Home will handle cremation, and a private family memorial will take place at a later date.

Jillene was born on May 13th, 1947 in Clinton, Iowa to parents Sherman Eugene and Myrtle C. (Clark) Caven. She shared her birthday with an identical twin sister, Jacqueline. Growing up, the twins were a bit of a novelty as they were coined with the nickname, "Jack and Jill." They were as identical as twins could be, and to this day, we struggle to tell the them apart in old pictures.

Jill grew up on a farm outside of Miles, Iowa and attended grade school in Miles. Her mother, Myrtle passed away when Jill was 9 years old. Her father Sherman later remarried, and Jill lovingly accepted his wife Helen into her life. When the family moved to a farm between Baldwin and Monmouth, Iowa, Jill continued her education in Maquoketa and graduated with the Maquoketa High School class of 1965. Over the years, Jill told many stories of her parents, her siblings and growing up on the farm. We wish now, that we had listened more intently and burned them into our memory.

Jill married Charles Schilberg in January of 1973. To this union her daughters Alicia (Lece) and Jessica were born, and she officially became "mom".

On April 26th, 1976 she married James H. Streets, Sr. in a private ceremony in Galena, IL. To this union, she expanded her exceptional role as "mom" to also become "ma", to Jimmy, Kevin, Terri (Sissy) and Tammy Streets. Next month, Jim and Jill would've celebrated 43 years of marriage. Although they faced many challenges over the years, their love and dedication for one another created a rock-solid foundation that will live for generations in the family they built together.

Jim and Jill resided in Andrew, Iowa until they moved to Maquoketa in 1993. Jill loved her years living in Andrew and the lifelong friendships she made there. She attended Salem Lutheran Church and was a longtime member of the Andrew Petal Pals and Garden Club. She took pride in her enormous garden, her flower beds and her berry patches. She enjoyed gardening, canning and making crafts. Jill loved animals and she raised her family to love them as well. Pets were always family . . . Sidecar Sally, her schnauzer, even made long motorcycle trips with her in the sidecar. Over the years, she faithfully fed her birds and squirrels- knowing them so well by their distinguished markings and dispositions, that they each were each given a name. Recently, a friend gave her a rabbit for the yard which she named after her Daddy, Sherman Eugene.

For many years, Jill worked for a local doctor's office. She later found her most rewarding work was done, as a personal in-home caregiver. She taught her children many things, but most notably- she taught them empathy, compassion and respect, by her example. She never met a stranger and she truly lived the words "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". She was a beautiful person, with a heart of gold and the most loving intentions.

Jim and Jill enjoyed fishing together, camping, mushrooming, and riding motorcycle. They enjoyed several years of retirement, "wintering" in McAllen, Texas and they had a circle of friends, that circled the United States. We are so grateful for all the wonderful moments they shared, the memories they made and the friends they hold dear.

Jill is survived by her loving husband, James H. Streets; her children- Alicia (Lece) (Tom) Wagner, Jessica King, Terri (Sissy) Streets, Jimmy Streets, and Tammy Streets, her grandchildren- Alexandria, Kaitlyn (Octavio), Olivia, Sophia, Shayna (Nathan), Michael (Monica), Mitch, Marc (Jesse), Michelle (Jordan), Mel, Dustin and Crystal. Her love and legacy will also live on in her great-grandchildren. Her face always lit up upon the arrival of her "Grands". They were her sunshine.

Jill is survived by a sister - Sharon (Doug) Martensen; a brother-in-law, Sanford (Marilyn) Streets; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Weets, Heloise Caven, and Beth Caven; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents- Sherman, Myrtle and Helen Caven; mother and father-in-law, Grace and Posey Streets; brothers- Perry Caven and Gary Pat Caven; and her sisters- Vera Jean Everetts, Romaine (Laverne) Bartels, and Jacqueline Miller; and a brother-in-law, John Weets. She was also preceded in death by a son, Kevin.

Words could never express the gratitude and love in our hearts, for Sissy- who patiently, lovingly and unselfishly cared for Mom for the past year and a half. They had a bond that went beyond being mother and daughter. Sissy has been the rock of our family throughout this journey, and we would've been lost without her.

A few days ago, mom said "There, but for the grace of God, go I." No other words could more adequately describe the life she lived and the legacy she leaves with us, on earth. We were blessed beyond measure by her love, her faith and her guidance. We will do our best to continue to live as she taught us and to honor her in everything we do.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Tributes