Janice E. “Jan” Rowan, age 77, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 2:55 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018, at her home. To honor Jan’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 2001 Saint Joseph Street, with Rev. Tom J. McDermott officiating. To celebrate Jan’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m., until the time of services at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at St. Joseph the Worker Church. Burial will be in Otter Creek Cemetery at a later date. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Jan was born on September 18, 1940, in Maquoketa, Iowa, daughter of Joseph Michael and Della Marie (Coakley) Rowan.

Jan enjoyed her youth in the small town life where she was surrounded by family and friends daily. She completed her primary education in Andrew, Iowa and went on to attend The Cradle Society of Evanston, Illinois, in 1961. She returned home to Iowa and proceeded to work in private homes for 6 years before moving onto Mercy Hospital in Davenport, Iowa, next to Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, and finally retiring from A.Y. McDonald’s Manufacturing Company. In her free time, Jan enjoyed traveling and any adventure which involved a road trip, or a day-time boating excursions on the river. Jan was also known to occasionally try her luck at the slot machines from time to time. She was also a woman of faith, and her long-time membership at St. Joseph the Worker Church was always like a 2nd home to her. Although Jan never married, or had children of her own, she developed a special bond with all of her nieces and nephews, which brought her immeasurable joy throughout her 77 year earthly journey. We will miss Jan, and her simple beauty as a humbly content person, but we trust that she is enjoying her eternal family reunion and we hold her final thoughts dearly until we see her again. “Remember me with smiles and laughter, that’s the way I will remember you all. If you remember me with tears, don’t remember me at all.”

Those left to cherish Jan’s memory include

a sister-in-law,
Sally Rowan, Andrew, IA;

and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Jensen; 3 brothers, Arland Rowan, Jerry Rowan and Paul Rowan; a niece, Roxie Jensen; and 2 great-nephews, Daniel Nepple and Todd Tracy.

Jan’s family would like to thank the Dubuque Police Department, and the Dubuque Medical Examiners Office, for their help, professionalism and compassion while assisting with her sudden passing.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com