Jean Bohnker proudly to calls herself a home-grown Iowa farm girl. She grew up in a small rural farm town in Western Iowa and carried those roots throughout her life and career.
Jean earned her degree in Early Childhood from Iowa State University and went on to teach for 30 years across three states. During that time, she taught preschool and parenting classes eventually returning to Southwest Iowa to raise her family.

Passionate about inclusive education, Jean helped launch one of Southwest Iowa’s first full inclusive special ed. Preschool classrooms at Tri-Center. She worked with Early Access to help screen and educate children 0-3 and taught parent education classes and led home visitation through Parents as Teachers. Additionally, Jean also taught Human Growth and Development at Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) and served as a lead teacher for the child development labs.

After going through life’s journey with her own parents, Jean decided that there was education and help needed for families at the other end of the spectrum. Through Assisted Living Locators, she now helps families find the right type of care for their loved ones. Jean is dementia - care certified and supports the local Alzheimer’s Association raising funds to help find a cure.

Jean is currently serving on the Southwest Iowa NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) Board where she works to connect community members with mental health resources and support. In her free time, Jean loves enjoys being surrounded by her husband John, their 4 daughters, sons-in-laws, 10 grandchildren. Together they all enjoy spending time outdoors, gardening, picking grapes and making wine.