Jane Ann Stanley

On March 16th, 1943, Jane Ann entered this world with her mother, Jessie (Poundstone) and father, Howard North. They resided in Ottawa, Illinois. Jane attended Shabbona School and told many stories about walking to school, walking home for lunch and then back to school to finish the day. As she grew, her interest in music grew. She learned to play piano and later the flute. She also had an interest in children and often babysat for her band teacher's four children.

During her high school years, she played flute in the Ottawa High Band. She got to take part in several school band trips across the US. One story she often shared was how when traveling in the Appalachian Mountains the bus could not make it up the hill, and the students had to get out of the bus, and all make the trek up the hill. This and many other memories were treasured stories she would often share.

After graduating from high school, Jane attended Iowa State University where she studied home economics and child development. She participated in Kappa Phi and Festival Chorus. At a Sunday Dinner hosted at Collegiate Methodist Church, she met Raymond Stanley. In her photo memory book, September 14th, 1962, was noted as the day it all started. She and Ray were pinned on April 26th,1963 and engaged on January 18th,1964. They were married in Ottawa, Illinois on July 31st,1965 after Raymond returned from serving the Army in South Korea.

With Ray still in the army the couple settled in Laurel, Maryland. Jane worked at a nearby Easter Seal Daycare while Ray served at Ft. Meade. On October 14th, 1966, they welcomed their daughter Susan into the world. The family relocated back to Ames, Iowa in 1968 and later resided in Des Moines, Iowa, Granger, Iowa, Shrewsbury, PA and back to Manson, Iowa. In 2010 Jane and Ray relocated again to Iowa City, Iowa to be close to Susan and their three grandchildren, Sebastian, Savannah, and Sophia.

Wherever Jane lived she had always had a garden. She enjoyed growing her own vegetables and canned many quarts of green beans, tomatoes, peaches and so much more over the years. Jane enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching. She was an active member of United Methodist Women wherever they resided. She really enjoyed the knitting group in Manson, Iowa. She loved being with her grandchildren, baking cookies for and with them, and teaching them many skills throughout the years. Jane and family would often go to the Des Moines Playhouse, where they were season ticket holders since first moving to the community. She enjoyed traveling and hosting family at her farm in Manson.

In her later years, Jane was a frequent flyer at Midtown Family restaurant with her husband and the Breakfast Bunch from church. Jane was given the title of great grandma in 2024 and enjoyed visits from her family at Oaknoll. Above all, Jane was loving and caring to all and will be forever missed.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Susan Stanley of Iowa City; two granddaughters, Savannah (Jonny) Pomerleau of Des Moines and Sophia Surom of Iowa City and great-grandson Mason Ray Pomerleau; and extended family.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband Raymond and her grandson Sebastian.

A celebration of life will be held at Oaknoll Retirement Residence from 1-3PM on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The family requests that everyone meet at the Third on Third Bistro for fellowship and light refreshments. At 2PM words and reflections will be shared.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family in care of Susan Stanley.