Janet A. Riley
May 24, 2014
Janet A. Riley, 72, died Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Iowa Methodist Hospital. She was born February 15, 1942 to Glen and Mary Carter in Stockport, Iowa.
Jan was employed by Hawkeye Insurance as an administrative assistant to the president for over 20 years before her retirement in 1997. She and her husband Jerry were true philanthropists. They selflessly gave their time and assisted with Holiday Helpers, where they adopted over 400 families in 20 years. They also took part in car shows and raised over $100,000 for various charitable organizations.
Jan was loved and will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 38 years, Jerry Riley; children, Christopher (Heidi) Riley, Melissa (Brian) Bosworth, Donna Riley, and Lori (Steven) Richman; grandchildren, Stacey (Clayton) Godfrey, Wendi (Ryan) Sparks, Boone Russo, Megan (Evan) Hughes, Corey Bosworth, Jacob Portinga, Jamey Portinga, Katie (Jeff) Wilson, and Kyle Richman; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy (Marvin) Crable; and a host of other family and beloved friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marilyn Quigley.
A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Jan.
Goodbye and I love you all.
Condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Marty Jorgensen
05/28/2014
I worked with Jan at Hawke-Security Ins. Co. for many years and she always had a quick smile and bubbly, exuberant personality. She will be missed by the hundreds of coworkers whose lives she touched at Hawkeye-Security and outside of work. Jerry, family, and Jan's many friends you have my sincere sympathy.
Scott Peel
05/28/2014
Jan and Jerry are great friends to to myself and many others. The support and care they have shown me over the years has been tremendous and it will never be forgotten. Jan will be very missed and Jerry you have the support of so many. My sincerest sympathy.
Lori Richman
05/28/2014
Dad - Words can't express what I felt for Jan. She taught us how to be patient, kind and loving. She showed us how to laugh and how to smile even during the roughest times. She always saw the best in every situation. She certainly knew how to have a good time. She loved us kids unconditionally which I know we didn't make it easy for her in the beginning. And what a gift she was for the grandchildren! Each and everyone was so important to her. She made them all feel special right until her last breath. I know it's going to be hard, but we'll get through it together with lots of love and laughter just like she would have wanted. I'm a better person because I was her daughter. I loved her with all my heart! I love you, dad! Lori
Tashika Lewis
05/27/2014
Mr Jerry and Ms Janet are our neighbor. Me and my boyfriend just moved into the neighborhood in November. They made us cupcakes. I have never had that happen in real life. I've only seen that in movies. The winter was pretty unforgiving and they let us use their brand new snowblower. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms Janet during Christmas. The first thing you notice about her is how pretty she is. You can totally tell how she stole Mr Jerry's heart. She's a total knockout! But even more than her beauty is her heart is of pure gold! She is the sweetest lady. She met me once and never forgot my name. Her and Mr Jerry are two of the kindest nicest people i will ever meet. They are the type of people that when you meet them YOU are blessed. They will do absolutely anything for you! I know that Mr Jerry's life will never be the same. He loved her the way that love is supposed to be. I could only wish to have what they had. If I could wish anything for the family is to rest in the fact that she will never have to suffer. The Lord has called one of his humble servants home to be with him. Her work is done here and now she will forever be in heaven with the Lord rejoicing. Gold and silver and all of the riches in heaven are waiting for her. Angels are rejoicing in her arrival singing praises to the lord for a job will done! I'm sure she would want everyone to be glad she is with her Lord right now but she was loved my so many I know it is hard. May God be with all the family and friends of Mr Jerry and Ms Janet. May he keep all of you in perfect peace. We are so so sorry for your loss. Her beautiful spirit will never ever be forgotten.
Bob & Lydia Lehrkamp
05/27/2014
To: Jerry and family, We are very sorry for your lost, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your life, just remember what a wounder lady she was not only to your family, but the family in the community, and with the car people. remembering all the great times we had with this wounder full lady just a joy to be with and talk too, she will be miss by us. May God Bless You and Your Family
Gary and Marlene Carter
05/27/2014
Our deepest condolences in the lost of a wonderful and loving lady. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the family.
Vicki and Mike Dunne
05/27/2014
We will miss such a beautiful and wonderful lady. Our thoughts are with you Jerry, you both are in our prayers. Thankyou for being such good friends
Pam Philpott
05/26/2014
There was no one like Jan. We met when we lived at Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma. Such a joy in my life. She always made you feel special , no matter who you were. Jan put others first and was absolutely crazy about her family and friends. She loved the lake but loved her family more and moved back to Iowa to be closer to her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Jan Lage
05/26/2014
Jan was my best friend; we shared the same first name; people used to call us "The Jans".
We were so young; went to work together out of high school at the same place and were roommates for years. She was my very best friend and I will miss her.
Deanna Carter
05/26/2014
Sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers go out to family
From Harold & Carol Carter and
Deanna Carter
Sue and Dave Clark
05/26/2014
Jan was such a wonderful woman. Her compassion, grace and strength were an inspiration. All our love and sympathy goes out to Jerry and the rest of her family. She will always be loved and missed.
Melissa Bosworth
05/25/2014
My life was so touched by jan. She was such a ray of sunshine to all who she came in contact with. She was an amazing wife to my dad and a great stepmom to me, but more than that she was a special lady and my life was so blessed to say she was my friend. No more struggling. Thank you for making me a better person. Your love and memories will always be in my heart. I will always remember when she would come to Texas and buy a pair of shoes or a purse and she would say "let's tell your dad you bought it for me." We had the best time.I will miss you and you will forever be in my heart. I love you.
Charles Simpson
05/26/2014
Jan was truly a blessing in our life. My wife and I loved Jan as a very dear friend. Jan always remembered our birthdays. Jan was supportive with cards and phone calls at just the right times. She was a wonderful lady. I know she will be missed by all. To you Jerry and the family, you have my deepest sympathy.
Janie Wonderlich-Elder
05/25/2014
Jan was such a loving and caring person. She was such a true friend to my sister, Jan Lage. We will all miss her so much. My thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and her children.....Janie