Rita Jansen

Rita J. Jansen, age 87, of Storm Lake, Iowa died November 18, 2015 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will take place Monday, November 23, 2015 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Rita Josephine Overmohle was born January 13, 1928 in Elgin, Nebraska, the daughter of Anton and Lauretta (Mooney) Overmohle. Rita was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin. She attended grade school at St. Boniface, and later graduated from St. Angela’s Academy in Carroll, Iowa in 1946. On September 20, 1949, Rita was united in marriage to Fred Jansen at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Together, they were blessed with seven children: Kenneth, James, Joleen, Patricia, John, David, and Joseph. Rita was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake where she served on the Guild and Catholic Daughters of America. She was also a member of the Quilting Circle for many years. Rita enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, tending flower gardens, canning, and crossword puzzles. She was known for her knack of cooking old family dishes from memory, often with a dash of improvisation. Most of all, family was very important to Rita. She loved raising her children with Fred, and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow over the years. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Ken Jansen of Grand Island, Nebraska; Jim (Radina) Jansen of Spencer, Iowa; Joleen (Doug) Doty of LaVista, Nebraska; Pat (Rob) Henderson of Waconia, Minnesota; John (Glenda) Jansen of Omaha, Nebraska; Dave (Denise) Jansen of LaVista, Nebraska; Joe (Nancy) Jansen of Chaska, Minnesota; eighteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; brother, LuVerne (Eileen) Overmohle of Wapello, Iowa; sisters: Rose Ann (Francis) Koch of Storm Lake, Iowa; Betty (Don) Schmitt of Storm Lake, Iowa; Lois Kestel of Schaller, Iowa; brother-in-law, David Breon of Sperry, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Nancy Overmohle of Schaller, Iowa; Sister Rita Jansen of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Agatha (Richard) Sholly of Stanchfield, Minnesota; Arlene (Melvin) Morfeld of LaVista, Nebraska; many nieces and nephews; cousins; extended family and friends. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Jansen; parents-in-law; brothers: Donald Overmohle and Leo (Rosemary) Overmohle; sister, Mary Breon; brothers-in-law: Norman Kestel; Joe (Mary) Brenner; and Ray (Marian) Jansen.

Rita Jansen

January 13, 1928 - November 18, 2015