Jane Esther Ferree

Jane Esther Ferree, 83, of Keswick, IA, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025. Jane was born October 20, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska to Robert Claus Matthies and Madonna Marie (Carroll) Matthies.
Jane grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, Carroll, Iowa, and Oakland, California. When Jane was in grade school, her parents separated and her father married Annabelle Sandoz, which brought Jane and her brother Bob six additional siblings: her sisters Karen, Barb, and Michelle and brothers Alan, Mike, and Don, who she loved dearly. Jane met William Thomas Ferree (affectively known as "My Bill" to Jane) in Harlan, Iowa and they wed on August 28, 1965. Bill and Jane moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, later settling in Keswick, Iowa, where they raised their four boys John, Jim, Sam, and Tom.
No stranger to hard work, Jane and Bill worked for years on the Axmear and Morrison farms until Bill died in 1997. After Bill died, Jane went to work as a custodian in the med labs at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics until she retired. Jane was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Keswick, holding various offices and volunteering at many events and fundraisers throughout her life.
She was a devoted mother to her boys, who gave her the greatest joys in her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, attending many a baseball game, school concert, and graduation. She enjoyed spending time in her garden and watching the birds that frequented her bird feeders. There was always a half-finished jigsaw or crossword puzzle on the dining room table. Jane was also beloved by many in her community and was a frequent visitor to her friends in the area, always volunteering to drive to doctor's appointments, lunches, and just visiting for hours.
Jane is proceeded in death by her husband Bill, father Robert, mother Madonna, stepmom Annabelle, and her siblings Alan, Karen, and Barb. She is survived by her sons John (Sheila) Ferree of Sigourney, Iowa, Jim Ferree of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Sam (Priscilla) Ferree of What Cheer, Iowa, and Tom (Stephanie) Ferree of Oskaloosa, Iowa; grandchildren Vicky (Chad) Gates of Ottumwa, Iowa, Jessica (Ryan) Bjornson of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Christian Ferree of Chicago, Illinois, Kelly (Chad) Ferree of New York, New York, Kyle (Abby) Ferree of Norwalk, Iowa, and Liam and Seamus Ferree of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and her great-grandchildren Kiara, Ashlyn, and Eva Bjornson of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Ryder Gates of Ottumwa, Iowa. She is also survived by her siblings Bob Matthies, Michelle (Jim) Stutz, Mike (Christine) Matthies, and Don (Angie) Matthies; siblings-in-law Mary Ferree and Paul Robbins; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 27 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane's memory may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary in Keswick, Iowa.
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