Jane Marie Schantz

Jane Marie Schantz

Alburnett

Jane Marie Schantz, 80, of Alburnett, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by her family. A brief service and celebration of life is planned for April 13, 2024, from 2- 5 p.m. at the Alburnett Christian Church. Jane donated her body to the University of Iowa’s Deeded Body Donor Program. A private burial service will be held at a later date.

Jane was born in Mason City, Iowa; the daughter of Parkie and Mary Walkner. She attended Marion High School and later the Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids. She married the love of her life, Curtis Schantz, in a snowstorm on January 7, 1967, at the Alburnett Christian Church.

Jane is survived by her three children, Matthew (Sherry) Schantz, Heidi (Tracey) Ryan and Holly (Greg) Ervin; five grandchildren, Zach Christensen, Ben and Emmie Schantz, and Eli and Saul Ervin; and siblings, Evelyn Carver and Rosie Lockhart. Jane also loved her many nieces and nephews. Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Schantz; her parents; in-laws, Saloma and Lewis Schantz; siblings, Dorothy Lazenby, Jerry Walkner, Butch (Allen) Walkner, and Oliver Walkner; and infant siblings, George, Harry, and Margie Walkner.

Throughout her life, Jane was many things. First and foremost, a mom and loving grandmother. She was also known for her cake decorating and subsequent graham cracker and frosting cookies. She worked as a secretary to the registrar at Mount Mercy College, where she was known as “Just Jane.” After retiring in July of 2013, she worked briefly at the Marion Hy-Vee in the bakery and Timberline Manufacturing. Jane was actively involved with the Alburnett Christian Church, Christian Women’s Fellowship, Alburnett Historical Society and was elected Secretary for the Otter Creek Township.

Jane will be remembered for her quick humor, her patience for Schantz storytelling, her kitchen sink soup recipes, her famous kitchen haircuts and stylings and mostly, for her strong love for her family and farm community.

Please share a memory of Jane at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.