German, Janet Louise (Wichman) 1937-2011

GERMAN, WICHMAN, LARSEN, AYERS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/22/2018 at 14:44:08

23 May 1937 --- 7 February 2011

Janet Louise German, 73, of Grinnell, died Feb. 7, 2011, at her home. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 11, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. Nancy Anderson, pastor of the Grinnell U.C.C. – Congregational in Grinnell, officiating. Pallbearers were Laura and David Ayers, and Randy, Scott, David and Reid German. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grinnell U.C.C. – Congregational or Grinnell Regional Hospice.

Jan was born May 23, 1937, in Grinnell, the daughter of Clifford and Louise Larsen Wichman. She was raised in Grinnell and was a 1954 graduate of Grinnell High School. While in high school, she was employed at the Poweshiek County National Bank and later with the Farm Bureau in Des Moines.

On Oct. 30, 1955, she was united in marriage to Hugh German, her high school sweetheart, at the Grinnell United Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Grinnell where they raised their family. Jan was employed as a secretary in the state office of the U.C.C. – Congregational in Grinnell for several years and then as Director of Alumni Programs at Grinnell College. She later managed the Grinnell Travel Center until her retirement.

She was a member of the U.C.C. – Congregational, PEO Chapter NF, Priscilla Club and Grinnell Golf and Country Club.

As a former farm girl, she enjoyed barn collectibles, she also enjoyed cross-word puzzles and needlepoint. She loved the game of golf and playing in golf outings with her family. She gave back to the game by serving on the Grinnell Golf and Country Club Board. She was a proud grandma and always enjoyed hearing about her grandchildren's school activities.

In 1981, while working in the Alumni Office, Jan and Hugh spent a week in Hawaii with the George Drake family during an official visit by the Grinnell College President. Some of the fond memories of Jan working in the travel business was the three cruises her family took to the Caribbean and Mexican Rivera, and visiting several countries in Europe.

Survivors include her husband, Hugh, of Grinnell; two children, Ellen (Rick) Ayers of Cottage Grove, Minn., and John (Stephanie) German of Grinnell; one brother, Ken (Karen) Wichman of Fishers, Ind.; and four grandchildren, Laura and David Ayers of Cottage Grove and Ty and Cade German of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents.

http://www.smithfh.com/obituaries/Janet-W-German?obId=2929701#/obituaryInfo