"Mead Family You have my condolences and prayers. My heart is broken. Janet was the best. She mentored me always...as we were colleagues for over a decade at MCC...I am more than grateful to have had her in my life and cherish the memory of the drive thru birthday ?. Retired Faculty/Counselor MCC, Dava James, Ph D"
In loving memory of
Janet Mead 09/25/2021
August 6, 1930 - September 25, 2021
Janet Mead, 91 of Marshalltown, IA passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2021 at St Francis of Assisi - St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021 at St Francis of Assisi - St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Marshalltown Community College/Janet Mead Memorial Scholarship Fund or Iowa River Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Janet was born on August 6, 1930, to Louis and Ethel (Buckley) White in Hammond, Indiana. She attended St. Victor's Grade School in Calumet City, Illinois and graduated from Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana. She then attended St. Mary's College of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. She married Edward J. Mead of Marshalltown, Iowa, the love of her life, on January 26, 1952, at St. Victor's Church. They began their married life in Dayton, Ohio, where Ed was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After Ed's military service, they made their home on the Mead family farm.
After coming to Marshalltown, Janet continued her education and obtained her BA in Library Science from the University of Northern Iowa. She completed her post-graduate work at Iowa State University in Gerontology, achieving an MS in Education. Janet's career was spent at Marshalltown Community College, first as a librarian and then as a counselor. After retirement, she served on the MCC Foundation Board. Janet was a lifelong, dedicated volunteer serving numerous boards including: Lenihan High School, St. Rita's Study Club, and the Dubuque Diocese Board. She was a member and past president of the Marshalltown Assistance League, 20th Century Club, St. Rita's Study Club, and the Marietta Club. She was also a member of PEO Chapter JU and served on the United Way Board.
Janet touched many lives, was well known and well-loved in the community for her welcoming and loving ways extended to friends, family, students and even people she just met. Many people have shared the positive impact she has had on their lives as a counselor at MCC, as a family and personal counselor, as a friend, and as a member of St. Mary's Church and numerous groups, clubs, and committees. Janet was always a "glass half-full" person, seeing the positive in every situation. She loved being around people and made every gathering more fun. She was a blessing to all she encountered.
Janet will be dearly missed by her five loving children: Edward (Veronica) Boston, MA, Richard (Diane) Omaha, NE, Daniel (Debra), Marshalltown, Rosanne, Marshalltown, and Tom (Suzanne) Marshalltown; her grandchildren, Angela (Brad) Pline, Clive, Iowa, Matthew (Sarah) Mead, Nashville, TN, Katie (John) Southard, Lees Summit, MO, Michaela Aldredge, Omaha, NE, Ryan Mead, Atlanta, GA, Turner Mead, Lincoln, NE, Kaley Mead, Milwaukee, WI, Cody Mead, Marshalltown, and her great grandchildren, Addison and Harrison Pline, Aaron Mead, Nicolas and Camden Aldredge, Sadie and Enzo Southard, and Kane Mead. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy. In death, she has rejoined her husband, Edward and his parents Edward and Alice Mead and her parents, Louis and Ethel White.
Her family wishes to thank the staff of Glenwood Place and Iowa River Hospice for the excellent care given to Janet. You were a blessing to her and to us.
Tributes
"What a sweet lady! I?m so sorry for your loss. I was always so happy to chat with Janet while at Glenwood to see my mom. She was a lovely person. ???"
"My sympathy to the Mead family. Your mother was a very loving and caring person. I met Janet through the divorced and separated group many years ago. She touched so many people's lives and always tried to help them see the best in themselves. Later I styled Janet's hair at Smart style salon. I have many good memories and I know heaven gained a beautiful angel."
"I have a special memory of Janet the loving grandmother. Janet was lector at St Mary. As she walked up to proclaim the word her small granddaughter decided to join her. Her mother tried to bring her back to the pew. Janet very lovingly picked her up returned to the lectern and with her usual reverence read the word. What a wonderful person we were blessed with my sympathy to her family."
"I loved Janet Mead. Always so kind, such a listener and such a positive force with all she touched. Love you Rose. You are in my heart at this time. Love to all your brothers and sister in laws & all the grandkids. Couldn?t find a better person in this world. Such a blessing to have known her."
"I'm so sorry for your loss. Janet was such a sweet, caring person! I'm always remember her fondly. "
"To the family and friends of Janet Mead I offer my deepest condolences. Kindness and caring are traits that I felt Janet always exemplified whenever our paths crossed ( the very same can be said of her husband Ed, as well). Marshalltown was the beneficiary of the good, hard work that this fine lady did in raising her family, working for MCC and being a devoted leader in her Church. Just as her faith supported her, we can all be lifted by a life well-served and now at peace. Most Respectfully, Larry Daniels"
"Fondly remembering Janet, a wonderful lady and colleague who touched so many lives. Had the pleasure of having an office next to Janet for several years. She helped many students with a kindness and a genuine concern not often matched. Sincere sympathies to the family. May she Rest In Peace."
"My heart is broken yet again. There are definitely no words to describe what a wonderful lady that Janet was. Heaven is shining a lot brighter with that beautiful Angel sitting to Jesus!! "
"My sincere condolences to the Mead family. I met Janet first as a student at MCC and always found her enormously helpful with finding resources for completing my class assignments. When I returned as an employee in 1980, she was such a great colleague and co- committee member! Always classy, gracious and encouraging, she was such a delight to connect with on an almost daily basis. She will be remembered very fondly. "
"Janet, who I met though my Aunt, Eleanor (Pudd) Handorf was one of the most gracious & loving person I have ever known. She represented the kind of person that most of us aspire to be. She was focused on higher education, living up to you potential and totally inspiring others to do so. She and Eddy great spiritual strength and will live in the hearts who loved them forever! She once brought my Aunt Pudd & I Crispie Chicken sandwiches from Arby?s (unsolicited), didn?t want to stay.,.but just a sweet thing to do! And the biggest jesters of all?(un-knowingly to me) gave up their Season tickets to the Iowa/Iowa State game to be the Host & Hostess of my wedding reception! Oh my! I will miss them both so much! My sincere sympathy & love goes out to your family!"
"To all the Mead family , My heart aches learning of Janet?s passing but oh what a reunion she is having with Eddy and their parents . I knew Ed and Janet because of my dad and then as years flew by I was Janet?s hairdresser for many years . She was a firecracker always on the run to her next destination. For several years at Christmas time she would ask me if I could make a vegetable pizza for her family?s get together as her I believe daughter in law was a vegetarian. She was always so great full and everyone love it . When I got married in 2000 Janet wanted to host a shower for me she was a great hostess and I am forever honored to say we were friends and really cared about each other . When we were in town visiting from Arizona we were fortunate enough to have our last visit with her and so glad we did . RIP my friend and enjoy what you?ve reaped in paradise with Eddy . Our love to all . Bill and Vicky Risk "
"So sorry for your loss. Your Mom wAs a very Special lady. She was always happy and bubbly. We enjoyed working for her. Always remember the good times and special memories you made. Our prayers are with All the Mead family.The Park Family."
"Rick, I enjoyed reading about your mom and it's clear from where your sense of service and duty derive. Surely her works would merit a speedy trip to our Lord's side and her beloved Edward's. Eternal rest grant unto Janet, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. Through the mercy of Christ our Lord, may her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed Rest In Peace. St Vincent de Paul, pray for Janet. "
"What a beautifully written obituary for dear Janet. It captures all that she was. Each of us who were fortunate to know her have our own personal blessings to add to this list. So happy to know that Janet is now with Eddy, the love of her life. My sincere sympathies to the children. grandchildren and great grandchildren. A real big loss for many of us. Rest in Peace dear Janet."
"I was a fellow faculty member at MCC with Janet for many years, while she was a Librarian and Student Counselor. Janet was a joy be be around and a pleasure to work with, and helped many students while she worked in both of those areas. She was a kind and thoughtful person, and it was a blessing for me to know her as a friend. She will be missed by many and my condolences go out to her family. Ed Jackson, former Student Financial Aid Counselor at MCC. "
"To All the Mead kids, I spent 6 weeks on your farm during the summer of 1975 (and also weekends waterskiing at your lake getaway). It was a great time of my life. Part of what made it great was your mom! She made me feel so welcome and also a part of the family. I have never forgotten her kindness, her generous and loving spirit! I'm sure she's treated everyone that same way. She was truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I know you guys will miss her but I'm also sure she would say that she had a great life of 91 years! Having great kids makes life a lot easier also. Thank you for sharing your mom with me one summer. I will never forget it! My condolences to you all and my best, Greg Gebel "
"Such a dear lady. My deepest sympathies to the family."
"Janet was one of the special ones. Our family is lucky we got to count her among our friends. To Dan and the whole family, please accept my condolences. But you know how these things go?the loved one is gone, but their love never dies."
"So sorry to hear of Janet's passing. After running a business for thirty six years , you always have special memories of special people. I had the privilege of having both Janet and her mother as customers. Janet would also always be at our Lincoln Highway band performances at Glenwood. Such a gracious -classy and lovely lady. Our sympathy to the entire Mead family."
"Janet was one of the first people we met when we moved to Marshalltown and one of the last we connected with before we moved away. We will remember Janet as gracious, friendly, having a sly sense of humor. If she was on your side or believed in you - as she did with many students and staff she mentored at MCC - she would never lose faith. Janet brightened our day whenever we connected with her. Our condolences to Janet's family. Tim & Becky Wynes"
"To the Mead family. We were in the same deacon class with Ed and Janet. My husband and. Ed became fast friends. They were very dear to us. We stopped at the farm one time o n the way home from somewhere. Deepest condolences. Lori Freet"
"To The Mead Family; Please accept my Sincere Condolences on the passing of Janet. I knew Janet from both our husband?s Deacon Training Classes. Janet was a lovely lady who I enjoyed knowing. May she Rest In Peace & Have a Happy Eternity! My Prayers are with All! Sincerely, Alma Pettit, (widow of Deacon Jerry Pettit)"
"Tom and Suzanne so sorry to hear about your mom. Such a difficult time. There are so many that loved and cared for your mom I hope all that will provide some support during these sad times and can provide wonderful memories you can carry with you both. Jayme "
"Ed and family, I am sorry to learn of your mom's passing. Like many, I first knew her as the mom to very nice and talented children, and later, while at MCC, an excellent librarian and someone who was interested in how we were doing, and not just about finding the right books. In recent years I would visit her while I was in town. She was so delightful, talented,and dearly loved her family, friends and her activities. She will be missed by many and you have my sympathies."
"I would run into Janet and always ask her about her daughter Beth. She was always so nice and I enjoyed our conversations. I am so sorry for your loss and prayers for the family. Mariann Edwards Darter"
"Janet was my mom's roommate at the care center several years back, and my mom really enjoyed her as a roommate. She was such a sweet lady. Sincere condolences on your loss from the Tammen girls to the entire Mead family. We're so sorry for your loss. "
"I had the honor of meeting Janet and Ed years ago through my work as a CNA. Janet was so kind, loving and thoughtful. I have never forgotten her after all these year. Rest in paradise Janet, and tell Ed I saw hi! Love Samantha"
"Dan, Deb and rest of family, I am so sorry to see that your mother and grandmother passed away. She was a special person and will be missed by many. Prayers for all."
"I am so sorry to have heard? Janet was so special to me and my heart is is so broken. She was my sunshine in every day and I always went to see her everyday before I left work?? I?ll miss you my sweet angel?? Rest In Peace?"