Obituary for Anna Lucretia (Jeter) Navin

Anna Lucretia (Jeter) Navin, 91, of Polk City, died May 11, 2024. She passed away peacefully in her own home, surrounded by family, with the sun rising and birds singing outside her window. 

Anna was born February 12, 1933 in Afton, Iowa to Lewis and Bernice Jeter. She graduated from Afton High School May 1951, then attended Ottumwa Heights College.

Anna married James Patrick Navin September 18, 1954 in Afton, IA. They raised four children together: Mike, Becky, Laurie, and Pat. She was devoted to her family and a great protector of her children. She was always calm and collected, which was essential in handling the mischief her kids got into, including bringing home pet ducks, rats, and even a monkey! She could always be relied on to provide great advice and support to her family and friends.

Anna worked for Interstate Assurance for over 20 years and retired in 1992. She took full advantage of her retirement, traveling around the world with “the girls”. Some of her favorite trips included visiting Ireland, England, and Italy. Most recently, she took a girls’ trip to Galveston, Texas for her 90th birthday. 

Over the years, she enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family, participating in book clubs at the Polk City Library, working jigsaw puzzles, and completing the daily crossword. When she got stuck on a crossword clue, she would often call up a grandchild or great-grandchild who had knowledge of the subject. 

Anna loved spending time with her family. Her home in Polk City provided ample opportunity for her 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren to run around the backyard while she watched from her patio, chatting with family, friends, and neighbors. As her family grew, they continued to squeeze four generations into her home for holidays and get-togethers.

Anna is preceded in death by her husband Pat Navin; parents Lewis and Bernice Jeter; sisters Mary Lou Alsin and Monica Jeter; an infant brother; and son-in-law Brian Bales.

Those who will continue to share stories of Anna and keep her memory alive include her children Michael (Darlene) Navin, Rebecca Bales, Laura (John Stone) Navin, and Patrick (Theresa) Navin; her grandchildren Felica Nadeau, Ryan Bales, Michael Navin, Mat Bales, Tiffany Taylor, Anna Taylor, Jamie Long, Hannah Navin, Kimberly Taylor, Haleigh Nece, Hillary Navin, and Shaun Navin; 22 great-grandchildren; her brother Gene Jeter; and many other family members, friends, and neighbors. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 23rd from 5pm - 7pm at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave, Des Moines. On Friday, May 24th at All Saints there will be visitation at 9:30am and a funeral mass at 10am, followed by a luncheon. A private ceremony and interment of ashes will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

The family invites you to wear Anna’s favorite color, purple, to her services. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in Anna’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Polk City Library.