Janet Sue Fors Card

Janet Sue Fors Card

Janet Sue Fors was born on April 21, 1936 in Cook County hospital in Chicago to Bernard and Esther Fors. She was welcomed home by her brothers, Don, Bill and Jim. When Janet was six months old, her father moved to Omaha for a job transfer. Her mother brought the three boys and Janet by train from Chicago to Omaha. Just before her sixth birthday, the Fors family moved to Des Moines. Her sister, Linda, joined the family in 1947.

Janet attended Cattell Elementary, Warren Harding Junior High, and East High School. Go Scarlets! She graduated in 1954. In the spring of 1954 Janet attended a church banquet and sat next to Jerry Card. Janet and Jerry were married in 1955. Their song was “Little Things Mean a Lot”. They taught their children that “people are more important than things”. Their life together demonstrated these beliefs. Janet and Jerry were a few weeks shy of their 70th anniversary when she died. They were inseparable until Janet’s death.

After high school Janet worked as a legal secretary for Tesdall Law firm until the birth of their children, Deborah, Melinda, and John.

In 1963 Janet and family moved to Ankeny, Iowa, a town of less than 3000 people. Jerry became active in many organizations, especially the Ankeny Fire Department. Janet, always his greatest supporter, joined the fire department auxiliary as well as many bridge groups and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Her bridge friends were dear to her and gave her great joy and support, meeting regularly until the end of her life.

Janet enjoyed reading, moving furniture around the house, cooking for family and friends (her fried chicken was legendary), and playing any card game, but especially bridge (she carried a deck of cards in her purse in case they had to wait in a restaurant).

Janet treasured time with her family including her nieces and nephews. She hosted her extended family dinner for Thanksgiving for over 50 years. Janet loved others with an unconditional love. She had the gift of giving and found great joy in giving to her grandchildren, neighbor kids, and anyone she felt needed help. Janet adored her grandchildren – Kyle, Anna, Matthew, Paul and Scott. They could do no wrong in her eyes.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and longtime friend, Bev Kiefer. She is survived and will be missed by her husband Jerry; children, Deb (Norm) McCleary, Mindy Card, and John (Lori) Card; five grandchildren, Kyle Card, Matthew Card, Anna (Paul) Ryon, Paul (Jackie) McCleary, and Scott (Christina) McCleary, and three great-grandchildren, Theo, Mavis, and Nora, with a fourth one, Lucy, due in May as well as many loving friends.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Janet died on March 24, 2025 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center from a heart attack. Janet’s visitation will be on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 p.m., and luncheon at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.

Donations to honor Janet’s memory may be given to the ARL, East High School alumni association or to her family for a memorial yet to be determined.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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