Janet “Jan” Jean Mason, age 95, of Atlantic, IA, passed away on Friday, February 09, 2024, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA.
Jan was born on May 6, 1928, in Loup City, Nebraska, to Joe and Pauline Harenza. She grew up in North Platte, Nebraska, and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, graduating in the class of 1946. Jan then pursued higher education at Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, and graduated in 1950. Following that, she attended Kearney State Teachers College in Kearney, Nebraska.
On July 11, 1951, Jan married Leslie Mason at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte, NE. They had five children together: Rick, Tom, Dan, John, and Mary. Jan began her career as a Medical Technologist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, NE. After moving to Atlantic, Jan worked for Dr. Millard T. Peterson as a Phlebotomist during the late 1950s and 1960s. Jan also worked part-time at JC Penny for a few years as well.
Jan was a dedicated member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic for over 70 years. She contributed to many funeral lunches as a member of CCW and the Altar & Rosary Society. Additionally, she was a member of the D.O.E.S. in Atlantic. In her free time, Jan enjoyed in sewing, gardening, and reading various fashion magazines.
Jan is survived by her four sons, Rick (Diane) Mason of Des Moines, IA, Tom (Elizabeth) Mason of Dallas, TX, Dan (Toni) Mason of Chandler, AZ, John Mason of West Des Moines, and her daughter, Mary Bolser, of Des Moines, IA; daughter-in-law Tammy Jensen of Urbandale, IA; grandchildren, Becky (Eric) Bolte, David (Victoria) Mason, Parker Mason, Caroline Mason, Courtney (Thomas) Starr, Drew Mason, Sara Mason, Derek Bolser, Mason Bolser; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Olivia, Charlotte, Henry, Evelyn, Charlotte, Clara Jo.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Pauline Harenza, and her husband, Leslie Mason, in 1989.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, IA, with Fr. Brad Robey as the Celebrant. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the mass and at the church on Friday. Interment will take place at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery following the mass. A luncheon will be held following the committal service in Saints Peter and Paul Parish Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may given to the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or may be directed to the Jan Mason Family. They will be designated to many of her favorite local organizations and charities and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
