Laura “Jane” Woodward Walkinshaw passed away, Sunday May 3, 2020 at the Griswold Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Griswold, Iowa. She had resided there for approximately the last four years. Prior to that, she lived on the family farm east of Griswold.
Jane was born on the Woodward family farm northwest of Lewis on October 22, 1928, the daughter of Bertha Mary (Lawton) and Wilbur Eppley Woodward. She said she wasn’t sure if her birth was recorded in Pottawattamie or Cass County, as their home straddled the county line. Jane graduated from the Lewis High School in 1946. She taught school for a short time before she began working as a secretary at the Lewis School.
On August 2, 1948 she married William George Walkinshaw. Jane became a hard-working farm wife. She raised chickens, sold cream and eggs, and had one of the finest vegetable gardens around. She also had an amazing strawberry patch that provided so much fruit, she invited the neighbors to come and pick what they wanted. She loved to be outdoors and she mowed the grass around the farmyard until she left the farm.
Jane was a resilient woman, she survived surgery for a cancerous tumor at the age of 87. Eventually, she broke both hips due to falls, she took these challenges and came back each time. She wanted to remain in this world to be with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Left to honor her memory are her five children: Mary Jane Walkinshaw Garland and her children: daughter Olivia Ruiz-Carus and husband Isaac and their daughters, Claudia and Helena; son, Sam Garland and wife Sadie along with their children, Isla, Genevieve and William; and son, Phil Garland and wife Stephanie and their children, Greta and Martin.
Billie Jean Walkinshaw Wilson and husband N. Ray Wilson and their children: son Seth Wilson, daughter Sydney Schuler and husband Nick and their children, Wesley and Norah; and Allyssa Shouse and husband Jordan and their daughter Jillian.
David Frederick Walkinshaw and wife Debbie and their daughter Tessa.
Deborah Sue Walkinshaw Armbrust and her daughters: Katarina Armbrust and her husband Steve Packard and their sons, Corbin and Porter, Gabrielle Armbrust and son Demain Williams; Courtney Hess and husband Kevin and their son Kooper.
Angela Marie Walkinshaw Leighton and husband Scott Leighton and their children: daughter Abigail Schrock and husband Noah; and son Clay.
Jane is also survived by her sister Janet Breach and husband Everett, and many nieces, nephews, and their families.
Jane was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents; her in-laws, Fred and Hazel Walkinshaw; her two brothers, Wilbur (Bud) Woodward and wife Laverne, and Roscoe (Rock) Woodward and wife Donna; her three sisters: Anna Belle Petrucci and Husband Freddie, Elenor Mary Woodward (as a child), and Helen Elaine Woodward Anderson.
Jane loved her family fiercely and left us unwillingly. We will miss her very much.
Memorials may be given to the Griswold Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Auxiliary and the Cass County Museum.
