Per the wishes of Jan and her family, cremation rites have been accorded. Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life on Saturday, February 5 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. For questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Born Janice Johnson on July 8, 1936, she was the daughter of Lester and Elsie (Ingledue) Johnson. She and her three brothers grew up in the rural Marshalltown area. She attended Albion High School, where she participated in various plays and cheerleading and was crowned Homecoming queen her senior year. She graduated with the class of 1954. After meeting the love of her life, Gerald Sassen, they were united in marriage and were blessed with two sons. In 1970, they moved to her family farm in Haverhill, where she has resided since. Following the birth of her first son, Jan left her job at Fisher Controls to focus on raising him and his younger brother. As they grew older, she began working for The Shadow Box at the mall. In her free time, Jan enjoyed gardening and listening to music. A talented artist, she loved painting and all things arts and crafts.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons: Troy (Laura) Sassen, of Marshalltown, and Todd (Shannon) Sassen, of Wyoming, MN; grandchildren: Shane and Shayna; sister-in-law, Becky Johnson, of Haverhill, and several nieces and nephews.

In eternal life, she is reunited with her beloved husband, Gerald; her parents, Lester and Elsie and her three brothers: Denny, Kerry and Greg Johnson.