Jane Osborne Mathiasen

Jane Osborne Mathiasen was born November 6, 1929 to Helen and Harold Osborne. She grew up in Rock Island and Springfield, Illinois, graduating from Rock Island High School. She attended Stephens College and the University of Iowa, at which she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Jane met her husband there and they were married February 4, 1951. After graduation, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, living and working there until 1960, at which time they moved to Harlan, Iowa. Jane’s husband joined the Shelby County State Bank and became very involved in the community. Jane also became a busy volunteer as well as a mother to her two daughters and one son. For her various volunteer activities, she and Si were named “Citizens of the Year” in 1982.

Her favorite things, beside her granddaughters, were reading, golf, bridge, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, and knitting. She and Si also did quite a bit of traveling after his retirement. They spent their winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona for more than twenty years, also volunteering there with “Neighbors Who Care.” They moved to Edgewater in 2009, shortly after it was completed.

Jane passed away June 28, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Donald "Si" Mathiasen; daughters, Sally Kalal and Julie (Ed) McGillicuddy; son, Mark Mathiasen; sister, Sally (Oak) Norton; seven granddaughters who were the pride and joy of her life: Theresa (Bryan) Stark, Amy (Tanner) Brown, Michele Kalal, Beth Kalal, Alyssa McGillicuddy, Amanda McGillicuddy, and Mary Mathiasen; three great-grandsons: Corey, Logan and Nathan Stark; and two nephews and one niece.

There will be a memorial service held at Edgewater Retirement Community, 9225 Cascade Avenue, West Des Moines at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014, followed by a luncheon.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Edgewater Good Samaritan Fund, the PEO Sisterhood or Iowa Public Television. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print