Janet L. Olney, Janet L. Olney

Janet L. Olney, 65, of 2104 H Street in Iowa City, died Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 unexpectedly at home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City with Reverend Michael Phillips officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City, where a parish rosary will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City.

Survivors include her husband, Mike of Iowa City; sons, Steven (Misty) Olney of Manly and John (Carrie) Olney of Iowa City; twin-brother, Herbert (Xenia) Schafer of Battle Creek, Mich., brother, Robert (Monnie) Schafer of Bay City, Mich. and half-brother, John (Sandy) Owsiak of Columbus, Ga.; sister, Yvonne “Bonnie” (Edward) Hellebuyck of Essexville, Mich.; stepfather, Leonard Owsiak of Columbus, Ga.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Carole) Olney of Solon, Howard (Marlene) Olney of North Liberty and Carolyn (Earl) McClure of Riverside, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister-in-law, Toni Schafer.

Janet was born January 12, 1944 in Bay City, Mich., the daughter of Herbert and Lillian (Lafayette) Schafer. She graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1962. Janet married Michael Olney August 5, 1972 in Essexville, Michigan. While raising her two sons, Janet provided day care in her home for 15 years. She later went to work for the Iowa City Community School District for 20 years in food service – beginning at South East junior High, then Iowa City High School and retiring this year from Iowa City West High School.

Janet enjoyed visiting with her friends and family, the annual camping trip to Michigan spent with family was a cherished occasion for her. Her weekend breakfast meetings was time well spent

and Janet also enjoyed the simple pleasures of going for a walk with friends. Janet was a beloved wife and mother, her strength and integrity will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Emerson Point for a resident activities fund, where she took time to volunteer.

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