"Oh my. When I left a tribute for Ed, I had no idea that Jane was so close to joining him. I can't imagine your emptiness. I, sadly for me, can remember when Jane and another family friend, Bobbie Hawkins, were able to keep track of the whole town through their switchboard. They would even keep track of where we were when we were visiting other kids' homes. Jane even gave me my first "job" bringing a treat concession to their square and teen dances they held in their basement of the house on Park Ave. in Colfax. In seeing a photo of her, again, I'm reminded how her smile could light up any room. I speak from experience when I say that those memories and thoughts will definitely help fill that emptiness."
In loving memory of
Mary Jane Jones
November 25, 1920 - September 16, 2013
Mary Jane (Jane) Jones, 92, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2013. She was born on November 25, 1920, in Colfax, Iowa, to Clarence and Jessie Main.
Jane graduated from Colfax High School in 1937, and began working for the Bell Telephone Company. As a switch board operator, she often told stories about being the best source for "Breaking News" in Colfax.
Jane met Ed (Jones) when they were teenagers. They married on June 13, 1943, at the First United Methodist Church in Colfax and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Together, they owned and operated Jones Produce and Hatchery in Colfax, Iowa until 1964, when they moved to Ankeny to operate Jones Dairy Sweet Diner. After selling the Dairy Sweet in 1973, Jane worked for several years for Lenox Furnace before returning to work for the Bell Telephone Company, from which she later retired.
After retirement, Jane and Ed moved from Ankeny to Apache Junction, Arizona, and later to Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2011 they returned to Ankeny. During retirement, Jane and Ed enjoyed extensive traveling in both the United States and abroad. Jane was an excellent cook and prepared many meals that were enjoyed by her family and friends. She and Ed enjoyed square dancing, which they did in Iowa, Arizona, and Colorado. Jane also enjoyed reading, playing cards, board games, and listening to late night talk radio. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.
Jane is survived by her children Cindy (Ron) Wagner, Sue (Marvin) Busta, and Tom (Karen) Jones, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Edith Newman. Jane was preceded in death on September 4, 2013 by Ed, her husband of 70 years.
A celebration of Jane's life will be held at a later date. The family would like to offer a sincere thank you to the staff at Mill-Pond Retirement Community for the loving care they provided Jane. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Colfax Historical Society or United Methodist Committee on Relief. On-Line condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
Tributes
"Jane was always so pleasant and had the nicest smile whenever we met. Gambling with her was a hoot! I never had her world famous apple pie, but I wish I had. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Just looking at her photo brings happy memories to me, and deep sadness at the same time. Prayers and thoughts go out to her family at this sad time."
"I have very fond memories of Ed and Jane.,I spent several summers in the 1950's with my grandparents,Ray and Faye Jones Beals at their farm in Mingo. Saturdays we went to Colfax, and visited the hatchery and Ed and Jane.I visited them in AZ in later years, and they visited my home in OK several times.I still use Jane's sugar cookie recipe!our sincere condolences to the family-Donna Kay Beals Clark, Duke Clark and Imogene Veach Beals(Mrs Charley Beals-,Charley and Ed were lst cousins)Colcord,Oklahoma."
"I have very fond memories of this kind and caring lady in the Methodist Church as I was growing up."