Frances Janette Meinshausen

Frances Janette Meinshausen, or Jan, as she was known, passed away on April 17, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City surrounded by her family. A visitation will be held from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, with a memorial talk to follow, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1100 11th Ave. N, Clinton, Iowa.

Jan was born January 31, 1945 in Pascola, MO, the daughter of Moley James “MJ” and Lorene (Graham) Fisher. She grew up in Rockford, attending Kishwaukee Grade School, Lincoln Junior High, and East Rockford High School, graduating with the class of 1963.

During her high school years, Jan worked as a cashier in the Logli grocery store where she soon set eyes on a handsome young man from the meat department, named Thomas Meinshausen. Jan bravely asked him on a date, and a beautiful life-long relationship was born. Jan would later say that she “knew from the first date.” Jan and Tom joined first in faith in 1963, being baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and shortly after in marriage, tying the knot on September 7, 1963.

In 1966, Tom and Jan assumed the role of pioneering within their faith, moving to the Savanna area to offer their participation and service in the local Jehovah’s Witness congregation. They soon knew they had found their lifelong home. They went to work, once again by each other’s side at the Cardinal Foods store, in Mt. Carroll. Then in 1969, after welcoming their first child into the world, Jan settled into the important role of homemaker and mother. She’d cook wonderful meals and host gatherings for friends and family, always eager to socialize with those she loved. She did return to the workforce after her third child was born to work at the Tastee Freeze in Savanna. Then ultimately retiring from Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, IL.

Jan was the type of woman who always had a smile on her face, and it was beautiful to watch how her presence could have such a lovely effect on those around her. She was polite to the highest degree, never missing an opportunity to offer her thanks, and she treated all the people in her life, like they were dear and precious to her.

Jan will be dearly missed by her husband of 60 years, Tom; children, Leah Meinshausen, Barak Meinshausen, and Jonathan Meinshausen; grandchildren, Ella Meinshausen and Cormac Meinshausen; brother-in-law, John Dutenhafer; niece, Holly Dutenhafer; and nephews, Mark (Vicki) Dutenhafer and Aaron (Dawn) Dutenhafer. Jan is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Margaret Christine Dutenhafer.