Jane Steele Truesdell , beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed on to her heavenly home at age 102 on Friday, November 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Ankeny, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. Reverend Janis Christensen will officiate. Burial will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars with dinner to follow at the church. Visitation with the family present will be on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. followed by a prayer service and hymn fest at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Wearing a mask and social distancing are encouraged but not required for those attending services. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Memorial funds may be directed to the Presbyterian United Church of Christ and the Plymouth County Museum.

Jane Steele Truesdell was born on June 24, 1919, in LeMars, Iowa, the daughter of Charles C. Steele and Floy May (Seely) Steele. Jane was born and raised on the family farm one mile south of LeMars and attended country school at the Steele Country Schoolhouse near the farm until eighth grade. Jane attended LeMars High School and graduated in 1936 at the age of 16.

Jane worked from 1936-1941 at LeMars Mutual Insurance. During those years, much of her leisure time was spent attending dances at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen, Iowa, where she met her husband, Myrle Edward Truesdell. They were married on July 22, 1941, at the First Presbyterian Church in LeMars. During WW II, Jane followed Myrle to Indianapolis, Indiana; Youngstown, Ohio; and Denver, Colorado, when Myrle trained in the Army Air Corps. Jane enjoyed working at various available jobs in those locations.

Upon their return to LeMars following her husband's service years, they raised a family of seven children and instilled in their children strong Christian values. Jane enjoyed outdoor family picnics, dancing to Big Band music, and eating anything chocolate! Her "claim to fame" was dancing with Lawrence Welk and his band members at The Roof Garden at Okoboji, Iowa, during her teen years.

Jane was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in LeMars. She enjoyed the Mariner's Group and the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study. Jane volunteered delivering "Meals on Wheels" to those in need. Jane was always supportive of her children's school and extra-curricular activities.

During retirement years, Jane and Myrle enjoyed winters in Alamo, Texas. Throughout their lives, they enjoyed travel to many parts of the world, including Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Guam, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Several of the overseas trips were to Lions Club International conventions as part of their active service to others through Lions Club.

In 2005, Jane and Myrle moved to Ankeny, Iowa, to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Jane was an honorable woman who was devoted to her faith, her family and friends. She leaves to all of us her model of unconditional love, her calmness and patience, her model of endurance, her ability to face with courage the many challenges of life, as well as her excitement and celebration of the many joys of life. She will be remembered in the hearts of her family for providing a lifetime of wonderful guidance and love and lifetime memories. Whenever Jane was asked the secret to her long life, she would simply reply……."It's just love."

Jane was preceded in death by: Her husband, Myrle Edward Truesdell; Her parents, Charles and Floy Steele; Myrle's parents, Edward and Mary Truesdell; Brothers Leon Steele and Claire Steele; Son-In-Law William Cox; Grandson Truman Cox; and Granddaughter Jessica Truesdell

Left to cherish her memory are her seven children: Mary Jane Cox of Centennial, Colorado, John Truesdell of Omaha, Nebraska, Anne (David) Dirks of Ankeny, Iowa, Kirk (Kerry) Truesdell of Portage, Michigan, Mark (Cathy) Truesdell of Georgetown, Texas, Ruth (Jim) Dane of Iowa City, Iowa, and Paul (Barb) Truesdell of Hospers, Iowa; Also grateful for sharing Jane's life are 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.