Pothoven, Janice “Jan” Berneda (Vos) – 1942-2024

GRITTERS, JANSEN, NYHOF, OLSTHOORN, POTHOVEN, ROBINSON, SCHMITT, UGWUOKE, VAN DYKE, VANDER HART, VOS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 6/19/2024 at 10:36:46

Funeral services for Jan Pothoven, 81, of Pella and formerly of Kellogg, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 15, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment will be in Sully Cemetery following the service. Visitation will begin Friday, June 14, at Sully Christian Reformed Church where the family will be present, at 4-7 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred for Sully Christian School or Pella Christian High School.
Janice “Jan” Berneda (Vos) Pothoven was born Oct. 17, 1942, to Bernie and Johanna (Olsthoorn) Vos in Newton. On June 8, 2024, she passed on to her eternal home after battling cancer for 19 years. She was a fighter who found her strength in her faith and in her family. Even in the midst of her own pain, she remained a Christian witness and steadfast friend, confidant, and caregiver to her husband, children, grandchildren, church family, and countless others. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out.
Jan was the third of six siblings, so her remarkable caretaking abilities were learned early in life. She attended Sully Christian School and Pella Christian High School. In high school, she was a cheerleader and sang in the choir. She was a lifelong member of Sully Christian Reformed Church.
Dec. 10, 1964, Jan was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Wayne Pothoven. Always his biggest cheerleader, her early years of marriage were spent watching Bob play fast-pitch softball. During those many nights on the ball field, they made several lifelong friends who became like family. Bob and Jan celebrated 59 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Kimberly Jo and Scott Daniel.
Jan began working right out of high school at Maytag in Newton. She worked there for 12 years. When her children were young, she stayed home with them, making delicious homemade meals and cookies and creating many happy memories they will always hold dear. When the kids were in school, she went back to work as a teller at Kellogg Savings Bank. She worked her way up to loan officer, manager of the Sully office, and finished her banking career as a mortgage originator. She won awards for being a top mortgage originator. People from many communities would come to her for loans. She was known for her hard work and integrity, and for believing in people.
Jan loved Jesus and lived her life in a way that honored Him. She was a Calvinette counselor, and she and Bob led several couples Bible study groups through their years at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Even in the nursing home during her last year, she spoke to the chaplain frequently about wanting to be a witness for Jesus. In her final weeks on earth, her family heard many stories that Jan was just that, a witness to so many of the love and grace of Jesus. She was often referred to as an inspiration. She met everyone with an open heart, open arms, and a genuine, lovely smile that left a lasting impression. Her legacy will carry on, reminding us to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service like Christ modeled for us.
Jan had an immense passion for her family, spiritual work, quilting, gardening, and hospitality. She never missed her children’s or grandchildren’s events or activities. She loved watching them grow and was always there for support. Known for her boundless energy, she was constantly on the go and yet somehow did so much in her home. She created hundreds and hundreds of double-knit quilts and cotton quilts. She had the most beautiful flower gardens; they were even featured in a magazine. Her loving care of her vegetable garden always produced a large bounty that she then prepared, canned, and froze. Forever generous, she also gave her produce to family, friends, and neighbors.
In the true nature of Romans 12:13, hospitality was natural for Jan: “Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” She opened her home to provide a space for fellowship, nurturing, and fun. She frequently hosted wiener roasts on the farm, always making homemade buns, ice cream, and gallons of iced tea, preparing games for people to play so everyone would feel welcome and loved.
If you had the pleasure of knowing Jan, she had a way of making you feel listened to and special every time she saw you because she genuinely cared about you. That compassion was encapsulated in what became her catchphrase - a phrase that will hold a special meaning to all it was said to -  when she would look in your eyes and with all sincerity say, “Bless your heart.”
She will be greatly missed by her entire family and countless others who loved her deeply in her wide network of community. The visits, phone calls, cards, and prayers Jan received during the final weeks of her life were a tremendous source of joy and comfort to her and her family. She made an impact on so many lives and was one of the most genuine and kind individuals. Jan is now pain-free and home with Jesus. She will remain forever in our hearts until we are reunited with her in Heaven.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Bob and their family: Her daughter Kimberly (Dr. Matthew) Gritters of Pella  and their children Dr. Rebecca (Jason) Schmitt of Pella and Baby Boy due Sept. 24, 2024, Noah (Chanda) Gritters of Iowa City, Isaiah Gritters of Pella, Sarah Gritters and fiancé Caden Van Dyke of Pella; and her son Scott (Jenny) Pothoven of Indianapolis, IN.
She is survived by her siblings: Delmar (Marilyn) Vos, Gladyce Nyhof, Nancy (Terry) Robinson, Linda (Bryce) Jansen, and Gary (Becky) Vos; along with brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: John Pothoven, Pam Pothoven, Lois (Simon) Ugwuoke, Raymond (Mary) Pothoven, Virginia (Allan) Vander Hart, Murray (Kendra) Pothoven, and Kent (Bev) Pothoven. Jan leaves many nieces and nephews who treasure their memories with Aunt Jan.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Lester and Johanna Pothoven; and brothers-in-law Gilmer Nyhof, Howard Pothoven, and Danny J. Pothoven.
Source: Hometown Press (Sully, IA); June 12, 2024