Julia J. Jansen

JULIA J. JANSEN

Cedar Rapids

Julia J. Jansen slipped away peacefully surrounded by her three daughters at her home in Cedar Rapids on Friday, March 4, 2022. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John XXIII Catholic Church by the Rev. Richmond Dzekoe. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday at Teahen Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Julia is survived by three daughters, Dena Jansen, Aimee (James) Durbin, both of Cedar Rapids, and Rebecca (Joel) Weinberg of Deerfield, Ill.; two grandchildren, Reid Durbin of Iowa City and Frederick Weinberg of Deerfield, Ill.; sister, Carol Renee (Jones) and Barry Eakin of Shreveport, La.; brother, David Barton "Bart" Jones of Euless, Texas; and countless wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins, who have brought so much love and joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Richard Joseph Jansen, who passed away on Nov. 7, 2021; her parents, Carolyn Dickens Jones and William David Jones; beloved grandparents, Arizona and George F. "Jonny" Jones, with whom she had a special relationship, and Sam and Beulah Dickens; and brothers, Johnny Ray Jones and David Charles Jones.

Julia was born in Shreveport, La., on Sept. 13, 1946, the daughter of Carolyn B. Dickens and William David Jones. She graduated from C.D. Byrd High School in 1964 and carefully followed the alumni news until her passing. After high school, Julia married her love, Richard J. Jansen on July 3, 1965. Their whimsical and adoring marriage took them to live in nearly 30 locations, and to cherish one another and their endless adventures.

Julia worked for southwestern Bell while in Maryland; Dr. Charles Dawkins of Sumter, S.C.; Litton Microwave Technology in Dayton, Ohio, and at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Julia was an administrative assistant in the Information Technology Department. She was a member of St. John XXIII Parish. After her retirement from Rockwell, Julia loved volunteering at the church and in her granddaughter's classroom at Garfield Elementary.

She loved gardening, cooking and spoiling her grandchildren. She enjoyed evenings out with her GNO group, and sharing tea and stories about her grandchildren with her dear friend Mary Ann Halm. She was known to believe that onions cooking in butter was the scent of a loving heart and that being a little bit overdressed was a sure way to calm the nerves.

Julia adored being a mom and grandmother. She was careful to teach us many valuable lessons. She taught us that righteous indignation was best channeled to benefit others. She taught us to embrace new adventures, but to do our homework and know what the pitfalls are. She taught us to not fear change, and to use teamwork whenever possible.

She may have been tiny, but the hole in our hearts is huge.

Julia's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to UnityPoint Hospice for their exceptional care and dedication.

Memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.