Mary Elizabeth (LeClere) Janssen

VINTON: Mary Elizabeth (LeClere) Janssen, 80, of rural Vinton passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012 and entered her heavenly home after a courageous battle with cancer at her son's home in Van Horne surrounded by her family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 am, Friday, December 28, 2012 at River Of Life Church, 3701 Blairsferry Rd, NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with Pastor Steve Irwin officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 pm, Thursday, December 27, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. 6th St., Vinton, Iowa. Interment will be at 2:00 PM, Friday at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Newhall, Iowa.

Mary was born February 14, 1932 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the youngest of 10 children to Fredrick L. and Anna Laura (Schleicher) LeClere. She married Hilbert Janssen on July 1, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. They were stationed at Ft. Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska from 1951-1953, during the Korean Conflict. They farmed near Vinton all of their lives. Mary enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, times of fellowship after church and trying new restaurants with family and friends.

Mary is survived by her husband of 61 years, Hilbert; her sons, Randy (Catherine) of Van Horne, Iowa, Rodney (Shannon), David (Jenny), Kurt (Carrie), all of Vinton; daughters Jodie Olson, Menomonie, WI., Julie (Scott) Hansen, Vinton, Jackie (Gregg) Koss, Swisher, Jeri (Tom) Thompson and Jeanne Dennis, both of Marion; one brother, Ed LeClere of Cedar Rapids; 19 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son-in-law Darrel Olson, Menomonie, WI., two sisters, Irene Pendarvis, Junction City KS, Anna Holscher of Earlville, Iowa ; six brothers, Raymond, Robert, and Casper of Cedar Rapids, Kenneth of Casper, WY, George of Dunedin, FL and William of MD.

A memorial fund has been established.

The family expresses appreciation to Dr. Dearden, and Hospice Compassus and their staff Denny, Augusta and Judy for their loving care.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.

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CAG December 24, 2012, 1:19 pm Mary brought such joy and peacefuless to Shaping You. I will always treasure her delightful journey to the Holy Land. Although a light has gone out in your world, the spirit of Mary will live forever in our hearts. May God Bless You All.

T(V December 24, 2012, 4:09 pm Rod, How ironic that both of our moms died on Sunday. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Shannon and your family. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your mother is in Heaven for Christmas. That thought is bringing comfort to my brother and me so hope it will to you too.

ZZ December 26, 2012, 4:31 pm Rod and Shannon- I\'m so sorry for your loss. Your church family is prayIng for you and the extended family. May God provide His special comfort to you, knowing your mother died in Christ and thus is not truly dead, but living in His presence.

Obituaries : Mary Elizabeth (LeClere) Janssen

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