Janice "Jan" Lynn Jacobs

Janice “Jan” Lynn (Massa) Jacobs, 79, of Gretna, Nebraska, formerly of Hamilton, passed away at her home on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Jan was born July 23, 1943, in Pekin, IL to Josephine Serangeli Massa and Amel Cary Massa.  She was the oldest of 7 siblings with 5 boys and 1 girl to follow.

Jan married Ronald E. (Ron/Jake) Jacobs on April 19, 1965, in Pekin, IL.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Jacobs, her son, Joseph Jacobs, her parents, Amel and Josephine Massa, her maternal grandparents, Norma Bonjean Serangeli and Ollie-Craig, and her paternal grandparents Emil and Rose Massa.  

She is survived by 2 children, Cary Jo (Jacobs) Schaub, Wesley Chapel, FL, and Holly Cox, Omaha, NE;

She is also survived by 5 brothers:  Dr. Dennis (Pat) Massa, Pittsford, NY; Amel (Carol) Massa, Fuquay-Varina, NC; Rev. Michael (Kathy) Massa, Marshalltown, IA; Greg (Lisa) Massa, Pekin, IL; James (Pamela) Massa, Fort Worth, TX; and one sister, Pam (Sean) Davis, St. Charles, MO.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Kayla (Jacobs) Zeh, Maslin Cox, Caleb Cox, Jonathan Temenak, Olivia and Emma Goodman; and great grandson, Isaac Zeh, as well as, daughter-in-law, Trish Jacobs, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jan Massa graduated from Pekin Community High School, Pekin, IL class of 1961.  She was a member of the National Honor Society. 

She received her Bachelor of Music Education K-14 degree from Bradley University, Peoria, IL, May of 1964.  She graduated “with distinction.”  She was past president and member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Music Sorority.

Jan added many post graduate hours to her degree.

Jan taught Instrumental Music grades 4-12 at Dallas City School District from 1964-1966.  She then taught 4-8 Instrumental Music at Terre Haute, Ft. Green and Adrian, IL 1966-67.  Jan then substituted for Hamilton School District for 13 years and taught part-time vocal music in Hamilton, Elvaston, and Keokuk, IA.

Jan’s second career started as she and her husband took the EMT/A class offered in Hamilton and they both became part of the group that started the Hamilton Ambulance Service.  Jan worked for Memorial Hospital for 5 years as an ER Tech and EMT/A for the ambulance.  Jan taught the EMTA/A class for Carl Sandburg Junior College for 9 years and was a licensed EMTA/A for 11 years.  She worked for the Hamilton Ambulance for 11 years.

Jan returned to teaching vocal and instrumental music at Nauvoo Colusa Schools.  She taught K-6 vocal music and 5-12 instrumental music for 10 years.  She then went to Warsaw Schools where she taught instrumental music grades 5-12.  She conducted the Pit Orchestra for Warsaw Schools for 5 years for the musicals of the school.

Jan started her third career at Marquette Schools, West Point, IA, when she retired from teaching music.  She taught Religion grades 7-11 for 3 years.  Then, Marquette and Aquinas combined to make Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.  Jan taught in the Catholic School system for 16 years and taught the Confirmation Preparation for 15 of those years.

Jan then tutored at Southeastern Community College, Keokuk Campus, for 3 years before completely retiring from teaching.

Jan was church organist for St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton, for 10 years.   She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society for 48 years.

Jan’s main love in life was her family.  She was involved in all her children’s activities throughout their lives.  Her grandchildren kept her young at heart.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 15, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton with burial to follow in Harris Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Friday evening at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton.  A rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home following the visitation. Memorials may be given in Jan's honor to P.A.W. Animal Shelter, Fort Madison, Iowa (https://www.pawfortmadison.com/) or Least of My Brethren, Omaha, Nebraska (https://www.leastofmybrethren.org/).

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