Janet Elaine Ott, 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa after a brief illness, with family by her side.
A memorial service was held Monday, July 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jefferson with Rev. Timothy A. Jones officiating. Mark Erickson was the accompanist and Lisa Ott sang “In This Very Room” and Miranda Sebourn sang “When I’m Gone.” Honorary bearers were her great-grandchildren: Trevor Ott, Carver Ott, Oliver Ott, Kaylin Ott, Lucas Ott, Cooper Ott, Nico Laubscher, Ruve Laubscher, Rylie Farnsworth, Everly Farnsworth, Krista Larson and Parker Ott. Interment was at Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson.
Jan was born in Boone County, Iowa on October 15, 1937, the daughter of Floyd and Edna Knight. She was one of seven children. Jan attended school in Grand Junction, Iowa, where her family lived on a farm.
Jan married Donald Ott March 27, 1954. They lived in Jefferson, and Jan maintained their home and raised their two sons, Doug of Jefferson and Mark (Michele) of Carroll.
In Jan’s younger years, she enjoyed playing softball and bowling with friends. As she got older, she kept busy attending all six of her grandchildren’s activities. It was very rare that she ever missed an event.
Some of Jan’s other passions included following Iowa Hawkeye athletics, watching the Minnesota Vikings, drinking coffee with her sisters, playing Pinochle, or any card game, and spending weekends camping. Jan loved to travel. She was able to visit all 50 states, with all but five having been on the motorcycle. Spending time with family and friends was what meant the most to her. It brought her so much joy to be around any of her 12 great-grandchildren.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Edna Knight and siblings: Roland “Sonny” Knight, Shirley Cummings, Dolores Davis and Carolyn Muzney.
She is survived by her husband, Donnie Ott; her sons, Doug Ott and Mark (Michele) Ott; brothers, Robert “Bobby” Knight and Donald Knight both of Jefferson; her six grandchildren: Justin (Lisa) Ott of Nevada, Cory (Bridget) Ott of Dubuque, Jennifer (Dustin) Farnsworth of Adair, Chad (Tiffaney) Ott of Nevada, Katie (Nicolas) Laubscher of Carroll and Jessica (Michael Larson) Ott of Grand Junction; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, www.sliningerschroeder.com.