Carleen Rita Hess

January 26, 1934 - August 18, 2021

IMPERIAL BEACH, CA — Carleen Rita Hess, age 87, of Imperial Beach, died suddenly on Aug. 18, 2021 attended by her spouse and friends.

Carleen was born January 26, 1934 in Carroll, Iowa the daughter of Carl and Frances (Hesse) Hess. She was raised in Carroll and graduated Creighton University. She enlisted in the US Navy in 1957, stationed in Italy, Iceland, San Diego, Hawaii, the U.S. Naval War College and The Pentagon. She earned innumerable commendations and completed post-graduate studies at Boston University before her Honorable Discharge in 1979 at the rank of Commander.

Carleen then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing at Southwestern College, San Diego to work in several clinics and as a volunteer nurse for HIV/AIDS patients. She was active in the recovery community, serving on the board of directors of the Live and Let Live Alano Club. She was incredibly humble, well read, intelligent and current on political and social issues. She was passionate about animal rescue. Her interests ranged from stamp collecting to gardening and woodworking, opera to classic country music.

Carleen is survived by her wife, Evon “Frankie” Wilson of Imperial Beach; brothers: John Hess and wife Linda, Decorah, IA and Bill Hess and wife Karen, Carroll, IA; siblingsin-law, Barbara Grant, Sun City, AZ, Dale Sherk, Tacoma, WA and Keith Sherk, Puyallup, WA; many nieces, nephews and good friends. Carleen was preceded in death by her parents and sister Loraine Quinn.

Memorials may be given in Carleen’s memory to any Humane Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals or Doctors Without Borders. A celebration of Carleen’s life will be held Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 11:00 am to noon at Freedom Park, 2601 Jacaranda Place, San Diego, CA 92104.