Jane K. McConaughy, 79, of Anamosa, formerly of Central City, passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on Sunday, October 1, 2017, at the Anamosa Care Center. The family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
Jane is survived by her brother, Jim (Joyce) Koppenhaver; children, Kevin (Lori) McConaughy of Allison and Kelly McConaughy DeVore of Springville; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Paul) Martinez, Courtney (Joe) Boffeli, Stephanie McConaughy, Kim DeVore, and Jay DeVore (fiancée Michelle Davis); three great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; two nieces; and a nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald “Dutch” and Bertha Koppenhaver and her longtime companion, RD Howe.
Jane was born March 17, 1938, in Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of, Gerald “Dutch” and Bertha (Nelson) Koppenhaver. She graduated from Springville High School in 1955, Cornell College in 1959 with her music undergraduate degree, and received her Master of Library Science from the University of Iowa. Jane married Douglas McConaughy on June 19, 1958, at Cornell; they later divorced. She began teaching at Central City Community School District in the fall of 1959. From the fall of 1960 through 1971, she taught at Springville Community School and then returned to teach at Central City Schools until retiring in 2003. Jane was active in her teachers’ association, serving in various offices, including lead negotiator, and was a member of the Executive Board of East Central Uniserv Unit and Iowa State Education Association. She was a member of Linn County Democratic Central Committee for many years and served as a Central City poll worker. Jane was involved in Central City Mainstreet, City Library Board, retired teachers, and enjoyed gardening in the community with her close friends. She was a member of the Czech and Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids Art Museum, a life member of Iowa State Education Association, Public Television, and Public Radio. Jane enjoyed many hours as a volunteer accompanist for music students in Springville and Central City schools before and after she retired.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Anamosa Care Center, as well as her “Garden Girls”, Nancy, Carol, and Anna for their care and unending friendship.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jane K. Mcconaughy, please visit our flower store.