Jan Ernst, 71 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Accura HealthCare in Le Mars.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at All Saints Parish – St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. A reception will follow the burial at All Saints Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars.

Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Janice Marie Bunkers was born on November 6, 1948 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars, Iowa to Roman and Madeleine (Alexander) Bunkers. She was raised in Remsen, Iowa and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1966. Jan was united in marriage to Ronald Ernst on April 1, 1967 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen. They made their home in Le Mars and Jan primarily stayed home and raised their two children: Kathy and Mike.  Jan later worked a short time at Logos Christian Bookstore in Le Mars and then began working as a certified med aide at the Plymouth County Home. She worked at the county home for 9 years before retiring in 1990 due to her health. Jan became a fulltime resident at Plymouth Manor in Le Mars in 2015.

Jan loved going camping; she and Ron went camping often, especially after Ron retired in 2006. Jan also loved watching the Gameshow Network on TV. Her favorite time though was spent with her grandchildren.  She had two beloved family pets, Punkin (cat) and Peppy (dog).

Jan was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Her faith was very important to her; she was a prayerful person and she enjoyed sharing her beliefs with others. Jan joined a Bible Study that she went to for many years before moving into the nursing home.  She loved to help others and in her younger years volunteered at Plymouth Promoters (Plymouth Manor) and the hospital in Le Mars.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brad) Kjose of Alcester, SD; son, Mike (Tracie) Ernst of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren: Jarod Ernst, Alyssa Borchers, and Cole Ernst; great grandson, Carsen Ernst; sister, Mary Ann (Gerald) Goebel of Granville, Iowa; sister in law, Marcy Bunkers of Sioux City, Iowa; mother in law, Bernetta Ernst of Le Mars; 2 brothers in law, Bob (Lois) Ernst and Dennis (Joan) Ernst, both of Le Mars; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jan is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Ernst (November 11, 2019); parents, Roman and Madeleine Bunkers; father in law, Frank Ernst; brother, Bob Bunkers, and sister in law, Sandy Ernst.