Janet Ann Block

Janet Block, age 86 of Lake City, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, surrounded by her family at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City, IA. Janet Ann was born on April 1, 1936, to parents Murl and Marjorie (Ralle) Leith at her grandpa Leith's farm near Ware, IA. She grew up with her family in Ware until she was 12 years old and then moved to a farm one mile north of Ware. She attended grade school and graduated from high school in Ware with the class of 1954. After graduation, Jan continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa and Buena Vista College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education.
On June 16, 1957, Jan was united in marriage to Richard James Block in Ware, IA. This union was blessed with three children: Barb, Bob, and Jean. Jan held many roles throughout her life, such as teacher, mom, housewife, grandma, farmhand, and friend. She retired in May of 1991 after many years of teaching. Teaching and interacting with students was a job she truly loved. Jan was always on the go and had several hobbies. She enjoyed sewing, reading, telling stories, gardening, cooking, mowing, and doing anything outside. She loved the warm weather and the lake life. She and Rich liked to travel and spent many winters in the warm Florida sun. You could find Jan helping Rich out on the farm during harvest, caring for livestock, and taking meals to the fields.
Janet's heart was full of faith. She was a long-time member of the Lake City Union Church and was very active in all aspects of the church. She loved the town of Lake City and anything involved in improvements or activities to keep the community thriving. She was a strong promoter of her community and was involved in several clubs over the years. Jan had some very special friends and she looked forward to coffee with them at Sweet Things. Most of all, Jan cherished her family. She attended all the sporting events and loved playing games with the little ones. Her grandkids will never forget all of the stories, games, and adventures she took them on. She was the best grandma ever! Jan was a caring mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, teacher, and friend. She will be dearly missed.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Barb (Curt) Dettmann of Rockwell City, IA, Bob (Sara) Block of Lake City, IA, and Jean (Ed) Boll of Sanborn, IA; grandchildren: Kate (Dustin) Smith, Nick (Linn) Block, Elizabeth (Tyler) Friesth, Jake (Lynsie) Boll, Ben (Heather) Block, Aaron (Erin) Boll, Bailey (Devin) Landgraf, Kori (Justin) Kahl, and Savana Dettmann; sixteen great-grandchildren: Joey (Grace) Schrage, Jacob Schrage, Brinkley Block, Chance Block, Harper Block, Tate Block, Daytona Smith, Lilly Chapman, Porter Chapman, Menly Chapman, Kolter Friesth, Darby Landgraf, Perri Landgraf, Adeline Boll, Jackie Boll, and Henry Boll; sister Beverly Hopkins of Pocahontas, IA; sisters-in-law Carole Block and Marty Block; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband Rich Block; her parents Murl and Marjorie Leith; brothers-in-law Bill Block, Don Hopkins, and John Block; niece Lisa Wade; father-in-law Mose Block, and mother-in-law Kate Block.