Loren Lee Jansa

Loren Lee Jansa

Cedar Rapids

Loren Lee Jansa passed away on July 27, 2022, at the UnityPoint Transitional Care Center. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. The funeral will take place following visitation in the sanctuary from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Please join the family for a luncheon following the service in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level. The Rev. Craig Brown is officiating the service. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre on Bowling Street is assisting the family. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Loren is survived by his wife, Cathy; his son, Mark (Stacey) Wayzata, Minn.; daughters, Andrea (Jason) McVay, Mount Vernon and Christina (Joe) Ashley, Plymouth, Minn.; grandchildren, Erik and Kol Jansa, Minneapolis, Minn., and Sage and Finley McVay, Mount Vernon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie "Bud" and Alma Smahel Jansa; by his brother, Ernie; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Sherie and Don Koss.

Loren was born in Cedar Rapids and was raised on a small farm in Western, Iowa. He attended a country school and then Prairie Schools through his graduation, participating in student government and playing sports. Loren grew up to love hunting and fishing and following Iowa sporting events, especially football, basketball and wrestling. Loren attended college at Iowa State University and moved to Upper Iowa University where he graduated. He was united in marriage to Cathy Spilde on April 1, 1966. Loren became a Juvenile Parole Officer in the Mount Pleasant area and then in the Cedar Rapids district. He always wanted to get an advanced degree and was accepted in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois where he received his MSW degree.

After graduation, Loren became assistant director of the Linn County Department of Social Services, eventually becoming director and district assistant director. He later became director of the Council on Aging and director of Human Resources and Safety at various companies.

His children and grandchildren (and their dogs) were the loves of his life as he watched them grow up and participate in school activities. He never stopped asking the children to attend Czech School because his heritage meant so much to him. He eventually took a trip to Czechoslovakia with his family when he saw where his grandmother lived, toured Prague, and created many memories. Loren also traveled around the United States as a Boy Scout dad and made good friends for several years.

Much appreciation goes out to UnityPoint Rehab where Loren passed away, Dr. Sagers who was his longtime doctor and friend, Dr. Dvorak who helped him so much, and Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Yacoub who were always there for questions and care at Mercy Hospital. Thanks also to Mercy Hospital for the times Loren depended on your care.

Donations may be made to First Lutheran Church and The Czech Museum in Cedar Rapids. The service will be live streamed on the First Lutheran Church website.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.