Janice 'Jan' Mae Kirkwood

Jan was born to Martin and Alma (Myhre) Ostrem at home in rural Vernon County, Wisconsin on March 14th, 1932. She attended country grade school, after completion she attended high school in Viroqua for her Freshman year and then graduated from Westby High School in 1949. After completing high school, Jan worked at several jobs in LaCrosse. The most memorable was at the 'Dutch Maid', which was a restaurant and ice cream shop. She made many great friends while working there. Jan met her future husband John in LaCrosse while he was stationed at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. They were united in marriage at the home of John's parents in Spencer, Iowa on September 20, 1952 after John had returned from his tour of duty in Germany. They became the parents of three children: Jane, Monte who was stillborn and John Jr. who passed away one day after birth. Jan had several jobs over the years, including secretary for the Architects, Walsh, Kenniger and Galvin, and at the Clay County Auditor's office where she served as a Clerk and was appointed Clay County Auditor and was later elected to this office also. She served as the Clay County Auditor until she retired after suffering a massive stroke in 1980. Throughout her life, Jan enjoyed many different activities. In the early years she loved to read, cross stitch, garden, travel, collect antiques, and go to Jackson, MN for Saturday night car races. She is especially remembered by friends and family for the tree skirts she sewed by hand and gave as gifts. In the later years she enjoyed watching old movies, watching and feeding the birds, good family food, gardening and spending time with friends and family. She especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren and nieces and nephews special school and sports activities. Throughout her entire adult life one of Jan's favorite times of the year was Clay County Fair time. This was especially true when John was responsible for the hospitality for the main stage performers. They got to meet and greet many of the performers. Despite experiencing many health obstacles, she enjoyed her life, maintaining a positive attitude in almost every situation. Jan moved to assisted living in 2003 and then to the nursing home after breaking her hip. She moved to Royale Meadows in 2007. She will remain in the memories of the nurses and staff will be her smiles and her ready 'Hello' greeting to any one she met. Jan will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Jane and her husband, Jim Anema of Sioux Center, Iowa; alone with her grandchildren and their families: Brett and Jaimi Vander Berg and Gabe of Aplington, IA; Brittany Vander Berg and special friend, Andrew Noteboom of Sioux Center; Step-Grandchildren and their children: Amber and Mark Graves, Emma, Zach, J.J., Aaron, and Nathan of Dayton, Iowa; Heather and Rob Hofmeyer, Landon Karlee and Kortney of Ireton, Iowa; Jesse and Sarah Anema, Samantha, Sydney and Sadie of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Justin and Carrie Anema, Tyson and Kyann of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She will also be missed by her siblings: Harley and Gloria Ostrem of Chaseburg, Wisconsin; Gene and Mary Ostrem of Sparta, Wisconsin; Nancy and Verlon Hively of Cypress California; Betty Elsen of Hager City, Wisconsin; and Judy and Gary Warner of Tucson, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. Jan has joined in heaven her husband, John; her two sons, Monte and John Jr.; her parents, Martin and Alma; her Kirkwood parents: AG and Lena; her brother, Vaughn; her sister and husband, Sandra and Richard Mathison; brothers-in-law and their spouses: Regina and Paul Durst; Joan and Harold Olson; and Carolyne and Donald Laubenthal. She passed away from this time into eternity at Royale Meadows Senior Care facility on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. She slept peacefully away into the arms of Jesus.

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