Janet "Jan" Lane
January 8, 1940 — May 7, 2017
Janet “Jan” Lane was called home on Sunday, May 7, 2017. She passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long illness. Visitation: 4 – 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2017, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids with a Celebration of Life to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Private family burial will be held at Linwood Cemetery.
If you asked Jan what mattered to her most, she would undoubtedly say her family, grandkids, extended family and circle of friends. There were not many people who knew Jan she did not consider a friend. She always wanted to know what was going on with you, what was happening in your life. Our family will say “fellowship” was one of Jan’s hobbies, she cared deeply about people.
Her childhood was spent in Northwest Iowa in the small rural town of Graettinger. The eldest of four children, she grew up with her sister Margie (Richard) Blighton and brothers Jeff (Libby) Anderson and Jerry Anderson. Her parents, Olaney & Opal (Thompson) Anderson were lifelong residents of the Graettinger area.
Jan took part in Future Homemakers of America, basketball and softball while in school. She was always on the move in social circles and at school. Janet graduated in 1958 from Graettinger High School as part of a tight knit class of 26. She was unofficially her mom’s right hand in the kitchen where she learned her love of cooking but especially baking. They were proud of their Norwegian roots and could make a delicious kringle and other breads. She also helped her mom Opal “The Popcorn Lady” run the town’s popcorn stand, a social gathering spot and favored landmark in Graettinger.
Jan was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Lane in November of 1964. They moved to Cedar Rapids shortly after their marriage. Dick was an iron worker with the local union and Jan worked for several local companies all in the capacity of serving others. Early in her marriage, she worked as a nurse’s aide in the labor & delivery unit in Iowa City. The family expanded to include children Michael “Mick” Lane, Patrick “Pat” Lane, Shelley (Jeff) Woods and Mark Lane. She also enjoyed her work at Hy-Vee as a cake decorator, followed by many years at Armstrong’s Cedar Room and before her retirement she was a CNA for a local nursing home. She was a caregiver to her mom Opal in her final years, moving back to Graettinger to be with her.
Jan and the family lost Dick on October 3, 1973. It was a very challenging experience to go through. Surrounded by family and friends, she raised her four children the best way she knew how. They say it takes a village and we thank those who were there for her. Jan proved to be a strong lady faced with a huge loss but took it on head on and put her family first. We take comfort in that they are now reunited after all of these years.
Her love of family was number one but followed closely by baking, bowling, butterflies, coffee dates and social time with her friends and family and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes Men’s & Women’s basketball teams and football. Jan loved to bowl on her ladies team and always had fun names for their teams, the Thursday Night Gals and The Better Half. She traveled to state and national bowling tournaments throughout the 80’s and 90’s laughing along the way.
Jan’s love was strong for her seven grandchildren, Chrishena, Cierra, Cayla, Jackson, Olivia, Emilee and Ayden and two great-grandchildren Ariyah and Wyatt. She also has many nieces and nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law who she loved dearly. Jan will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We can hear her now, “Go be happy, enjoy life, and remember me from time to time”.
If you asked Jan what mattered to her most, she would undoubtedly say her family, grandkids, extended family and circle of friends. There were not many people who knew Jan she did not consider a friend. She always wanted to know what was going on with you, what was happening in your life. Our family will say “fellowship” was one of Jan’s hobbies, she cared deeply about people.
Her childhood was spent in Northwest Iowa in the small rural town of Graettinger. The eldest of four children, she grew up with her sister Margie (Richard) Blighton and brothers Jeff (Libby) Anderson and Jerry Anderson. Her parents, Olaney & Opal (Thompson) Anderson were lifelong residents of the Graettinger area.
Jan took part in Future Homemakers of America, basketball and softball while in school. She was always on the move in social circles and at school. Janet graduated in 1958 from Graettinger High School as part of a tight knit class of 26. She was unofficially her mom’s right hand in the kitchen where she learned her love of cooking but especially baking. They were proud of their Norwegian roots and could make a delicious kringle and other breads. She also helped her mom Opal “The Popcorn Lady” run the town’s popcorn stand, a social gathering spot and favored landmark in Graettinger.
Jan was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Lane in November of 1964. They moved to Cedar Rapids shortly after their marriage. Dick was an iron worker with the local union and Jan worked for several local companies all in the capacity of serving others. Early in her marriage, she worked as a nurse’s aide in the labor & delivery unit in Iowa City. The family expanded to include children Michael “Mick” Lane, Patrick “Pat” Lane, Shelley (Jeff) Woods and Mark Lane. She also enjoyed her work at Hy-Vee as a cake decorator, followed by many years at Armstrong’s Cedar Room and before her retirement she was a CNA for a local nursing home. She was a caregiver to her mom Opal in her final years, moving back to Graettinger to be with her.
Jan and the family lost Dick on October 3, 1973. It was a very challenging experience to go through. Surrounded by family and friends, she raised her four children the best way she knew how. They say it takes a village and we thank those who were there for her. Jan proved to be a strong lady faced with a huge loss but took it on head on and put her family first. We take comfort in that they are now reunited after all of these years.
Her love of family was number one but followed closely by baking, bowling, butterflies, coffee dates and social time with her friends and family and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes Men’s & Women’s basketball teams and football. Jan loved to bowl on her ladies team and always had fun names for their teams, the Thursday Night Gals and The Better Half. She traveled to state and national bowling tournaments throughout the 80’s and 90’s laughing along the way.
Jan’s love was strong for her seven grandchildren, Chrishena, Cierra, Cayla, Jackson, Olivia, Emilee and Ayden and two great-grandchildren Ariyah and Wyatt. She also has many nieces and nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law who she loved dearly. Jan will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We can hear her now, “Go be happy, enjoy life, and remember me from time to time”.
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