Janice "Jan" Marie Iedema

Janice “Jan” Iedema, age 73, of Ashton, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at her home in Ashton.

A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 AM, Monday, November 2, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 1st at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton.

Arrangements are in the care of the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley, Iowa.

Janice Marie (Strouth) ledema lived her life with a generous heart, a strong spirit, a deep faith in God, and an unwavering love for her family. After four years of courageously battling cancer, Jan has been called home to the kingdom of heaven, where she is finally at peace and reunited with loved ones who went before her. Though her family will miss her more than words can express, they find comfort in knowing that her suffering is over and that she is resting in the loving arms of her Savior.

Jan grew up on a farm outside of Ashton, Iowa, alongside her seven siblings. She attended St. Joe's Catholic School until it closed and then graduated from Sheldon High School. She went on to earn her degree from NCC in Sheldon, laying the foundation for a lifetime of hard work and dedication.

Jan met Bob in 1974, and they were married in November 1975. Together, they shared nearly 51 years of marriage, building a life centered on family, hard work, and perseverance. After starting their family, they moved to Texas with their four children, where Janice worked in the offices of Child Protective Services. In 1991, they returned to Ashton, where they continued building their life together.

Jan was a dedicated partner in every sense of the word. She helped build a construction company alongside Bob, taking care of the bookkeeping and the many details that kept the business running. Later, she helped build their trucking company, handling truck dispatching and bookkeeping. Her work ethic, determination, and willingness to do whatever was needed were a testament to the kind of woman she was. After years of hard work and dedication, she retired at the age of 65.

While Jan accomplished much throughout her life, her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved having her family around her and treasured the time they spent together. She was kind and generous, always willing to give of herself, and fiercely protective of the people she loved. Her family knew they could count on her love, her support, and her unwavering devotion.

Jan also had a remarkable creative spirit. She loved planting flowers and had an extraordinary talent for crafting. She especially enjoyed creating stained-glass pieces and transforming old, forgotten items into beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of decor. She often gifted her creations to family, making something special with her own hands and giving it new life and meaning. Those gifts will remain treasured reminders of her thoughtfulness, creativity, and the love she put into everything she made.

A lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton, Jan carried a deep and abiding faith throughout her life. No matter what challenges she faced, she held tightly to her belief that God was with her. When life brought struggles and uncertainty, she would often remind those around her, "God's got this." Those simple words reflected the faith that sustained her and the strength with which she approached life.

For four years, Jan fought courageously against cancer. Through the difficult days, she remained strong and never lost her joy in life. Her determination and faith carried her through a battle that asked so much of her. Now, her family takes comfort in believing that she has laid down that burden and can finally rest in the peace of heaven.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bob; her children, Nic ledema and his wife, Jamie; Megan Kooima and her husband, Darin; Alyse Gacke and her husband, Andy; and Eric ledema and his wife, Rachel. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Mitchell and his wife, Jessica; Bayleigh and her husband, Evin; Hunter, Ella, Kenzie, Easton, Hailey, Ryker, Colin, Dylan, and Brooke; and her great-grandchildren, Maren, Karsen, Jessa, and Stevie. Each of them holds a special place in the family she loved so dearly.

Welcoming Jan into the kingdom of heaven are her son, Shaun; her granddaughter, Emery; her parents, Jim and Irene Strouth; and her parents-in-law, Bernard and Ella ledema. While their absence has left an ache in the hearts of those still here, there is comfort in imagining the joyful reunion that awaited her.

Jan leaves behind more than memories. She leaves a family shaped by her love, the beauty of things she created with her own hands, the example of a life built through hard work and perseverance, and the lasting witness of a faith that never let go. Her love will continue through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in the traditions they carry forward, the stories they share, and the countless ways they remember her.

Throughout her life, Jan trusted that God had a plan, even when the road was difficult. Now, those who love her can hold on to that same faith, trusting that she is at peace, free from pain, and home with the Lord.

"God's got this."

Until they meet again in the kingdom of heaven, she will remain forever loved, forever missed, and forever a part of the family she cherished so deeply.