Janis Harlan

Clarion, Iowa — Janis Rae Harlan, 91, of Eagle Grove passed away July 7, 2022 in Sebastian, Florida with loving family by her side.

Funeral services for Janis Harlan will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion, 1801 Central Avenue East, with Pastor Mike Crawford officiating.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM on Monday prior to the funeral service.

Private burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove.

Janis Rae (Godfrey) Harlan was born September 16, 1930 to John and Raye (Fisher) Godfrey in Eagle Grove. Janis’s family history in Eagle Grove goes back to when her grandparents moved to Eagle Grove during the town’s earliest days; she was raised and educated in Eagle Grove, graduating from Eagle Grove High School with the class of 1948. Following high school Janis attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) where she earned her teaching degree. Janis loved teaching and taught kindergarten in her early career and later worked as a substitute teacher in the Eagle Grove School District for several years. Many of Janis’s former kindergarten students have stayed in contact with her. The touching letters and frequent visits from former students confirmed the positive and deep impact Janis had on her student’s lives.

Janis and Daryl R. Harlan were united in marriage on June 15, 1952 at the Congregational Church in Eagle Grove. They made their home in Eagle Grove where they raised three children. They were active members of the United Church of Christ. Janis and Daryl also loved to entertain in their home. They enjoyed hosting couples bridge clubs, bible studies and dinner parties with family and friends. Janis also enjoyed hosting and attending weekly coffee parties with her tight knit circle of girlfriends. When their health allowed, Janis and Daryl enjoyed traveling and took several special trips overseas before Daryl became disabled by a severe stroke in 1981. Janis lovingly cared for Daryl until he passed away twelve years later. Janis and Daryl were high school sweethearts and adored each other, and their children and grandchildren to the very end. Family always came first in their lives!

Janis was also active in P.E.O. for more than fifty years, often serving in the leadership roles of Chapter EJ when she was an active member. Before she retired, Janis also worked at Fashions Unlimited clothing store where she was known and appreciated for her ability to help customers put together the perfect outfit for every occasion. Janis had an innate flair for fashion and she never lost her desire to dress beautifully and “sparkle”.

Most importantly, Janis was an adoring wife, mother, grandmother and engaging friend to many! The last nine years of her life were sadly marred by LBD (Dementia with Lewy bodies). But Janis never lost her zest for life and socializing. In 2019, Janis was moved to Florida to be near her daughter, where she gracefully lived out her final years. Janis would often tell her family, “I couldn’t love you more!” Janis lived her entire life making those who loved her know that she meant every word of it.

She is survived by her children: Dan (Ginger) Harlan of Rochester, MN and Jane (Craig) Nichols of Melbourne Beach, FL; grandchildren: Sidney (Pam) Harlan, Chelsea (Andrew) Volk and Graham (Lauren) Nichols and five great-grandchildren.

Janis was preceded in death by her husband, Daryl; son, John; and sister, Rachel.

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