Janice Willis

Janice Katherine Willis, 87, of Eldridge, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2024 at home.

 Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home with visitation being held on hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. Per her wishes cremation rites have been accorded. Private burial will take place in Davenport Memorial Park.  Memorials may be made to Genesis Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.

 Janice was born on March 16, 1936 in South English, Iowa daughter of Orville and Miriam (White) Leinen.  

 Jan attended grade school and High School at St. Elizabeth’s, Harper, Iowa. She attended Ottumwa Heights College for teacher’s training. In  1956 she started teaching sometimes 1st grade, mostly 2nd grade at Brooklyn, IA; Sigourney, IA; Tipton, IA; Langley Park, Maryland. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College, Decorah Iowa, in1990. She finished her career at St. Benedict’s in Decorah in 1996.      

Jan Married Don Moothart August 26, 1962 in What Cheer, Iowa.

She later married Ken Willis April 25, 1998 in Decorah, Iowa.

Jan enjoyed scrap booking also crafting and sending cards for all occasions. She liked home decorating and Jan loved to travel to see friends and relatives around the country with Ken in her retired years. She recorded scrap books of her travels. She had a doll collection.

Jan was an active volunteer  at various Decorah functions including; Nisse Nursery School, Nordic Fest, Hospital volunteer, cub scout leader, etc 

Those left to honor her memory include her husband Ken Willis; her sons Gregg (Paula) Moothart, Curt (Heather) Moothart, Kyle (Justine) Leinen; also her second family of Daughters Karen (Brad) Petersen, Teri (Kevin) Perkins and sons Patrick Willis, Pete (Alane) Willis, Tony (Neena) Willis, Jerry (Darcy) Willis; 19 Grandchildren; 8 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

The family would also like to thank Genesis Hospice for all the love and support in the final days.