Jere Lee Griffis

Jere Lee (Babe) Griffis of Council Bluffs, Iowa passed away at her home on August 27, 2021. She was born in Council Bluffs on December 19, 1939 to the late Charles and Addie Wilson. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School and spent her early years as a candy striper at Mercy Hospital. She worked at Fairmont Foods, owned and managed many rental properties, including the Jere Lee apartments, for over 50 years. She was a corporate officer of J&J Contracting and Controlled Materials. Her many hobbies included embroidery, quilt making, puzzles, bowling, bunco, casino slots, ceramics, playing cards and spoiling “granddogs”. She was an amazing cook and an even more amazing wife, mother, grandparent and friend. She loved holiday gatherings with family and friends and especially loved Christmas so much that she had a year-round Christmas room. She made too many wonderful foods to list and made a point to make everyone’s favorites. Her popcorn balls were legendary.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter, Sandra Jean Griffis; great-granddaughter, Layla Pickett-Wilson; in-laws, Jesse and Alice Griffis; several beloved pets.
She is survived by husband of 64 years, Gary Lee Griffis; children, Debra (Fred Proksel) Griffis, Michael Griffis, Tamara (Charles) Bardon, Lara (Tommy) Waugh, LeAnn Griffis, Jeffery (Tracy Hough) Griffis; “#3 son”, Joel Thomas; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great grandchildren on the way; a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life will be Thursday, September 2, 2021 10:00 a.m. at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice.

A family interment will be held at Calhoun Cemetery.