Janet Van Dee

Janet (Jan) Rae Van Dee passed away peacefully on June 23rd, 2023. She was a wonderful, God-fearing wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother or “nana” as her grand kids and great grandkids would call her.

Jan was born on September 5th, 1944 to Josephine and Raymond Smith. Jan was the youngest of 5 kids. She attended New Sharon Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Jan met her soon-to-be husband, James (Jim) while working at a diner in New Sharon in 1961. Jim was on his way from Deep River, IA to Oskaloosa, IA and decided to stop in for a bite to eat. Jan was his waitress, and the story goes – he never made it to Oskaloosa.

They continued their lives together and got married in June of 1962 in Brooklyn, IA. They started married life together in Marengo and had their daughter, Renee. Shortly after, they moved to Grinnell, IA and had their second daughter, Rita. In 1966, they made their move to Des Moines, IA and had their son, Steven.
Jan worked at St. Joseph’s Elementary School for almost 20 years. She was the very first bus driver the school ever had and finished out her career as the school secretary (and sometimes had to play “nurse”). Jan loved to travel. Whether it be a weekend trip with Jim around Iowa to track the trains or Rome, Ireland, Scotland, Alaska or the west coast. She didn’t pass up a travel opportunity.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents: Ray and Jo Smith, husband: James (Jim) VanDee, son: Steven Van Dee, grandson: Ryan Heithoff, brothers: Bill (Mildred) Smith, Raymond (Madge) Smith, sisters: Francine (Gordon) Hull, JoAnn Fredrickson.

She is survived by her daughters, Renee (Todd) Scott and Rita
Van Dee, grandchildren, Matt Scott, Katie Denny, Josh Heithoff, Abbey Heithoff, Mike Holt, John Holt and great-grandchildren, Isaac and Isaiah Denny and many other family members and friends.

Jan’s family would like to thank Luther Park. Her journey from her home to The Gardens to Trinity Center was full of compassion and care. Also grateful for the care she received from St. Croix Hospice. The staff from St. Croix always treated Mom with respect and tenderness. We appreciated this greatly.

Memorial contributions can be made to Saints John & Paul Catholic Church, St Croix Hospice or Luther Park.

Jan will be laid to rest on Wednesday, June 28th. Visitation at 9:30 am with funeral following at 11:00 am. Both being held at Saints John & Paul Catholic Church in Altoona. Burial will take place at 3:00 pm at Armah Catholic cemetery near North English.

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