Janet Lee Neese

Obituary Janet Lee Duncan Neese April 23, 1933 - February 23, 2014 Janet Lee Duncan Neese was born in Bagley, Iowa on April 23, 1933 to Katherine Margaret Plumb Duncan and Harry Benjamin Duncan. She was the youngest of four children. She grew up in a small town that she deeply cherished throughout her life. She often spoke fondly of the simple life and traditional values she learned there. She loved and played basketball and was an excellent outside shooter. Music was in her blood from her early years and she enjoyed playing piano and singing in the choir. She won many piano contests, including the Iowa state competition. She also played trombone. She graduated from Bagley High School in 1950 at the age of 17. On December 3rd, 1950 she married Maynard Neese and they lived on a farm south of Scranton, Iowa for a year and prior to moving to Upland, Indiana where they both attended Taylor University. In 1956, they moved to Marion, Indiana and began their family. David was born that year and Lisa was born in 1958. Seven years later, she graduated from nursing school and began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in labor and delivery at Marion General Hospital. She adored working the 3:00-11:00 pm shift and bringing babies into the world. She always planned to have more children, and brought Paul into the world in 1967. Claire was then born on Jan's 39th birthday in 1972 which was a special blessing for them both. In 1978, the family moved to Colorado Springs where Jan began working at Memorial Hospital, again in labor and delivery. She then worked for Allergy Associates for ten years. During her time there, she returned to school and obtained her license as a Registered Nurse. In 1989, she went to work for Dr. John Hillman in his Internal Medicine Practice. Jan truly loved helping Dr. Hillman care for his patients. She retired in 1998. In 2003, Jan and her housemate Eileen Gatke moved from the beloved family home on McArthur Avenue to a townhome on the east side of Colorado Springs. She spent her retirement years with Eileen decorating their townhome with pictures, plants and memorabilia illustrating her blessed life. Jans greatest love was her family and she often traveled to visit her children and grandchildren. During her final years, she was fortunate to have been cared for by Eileen, her best friend and their two "spoiled" Maltese pups. In the last weeks of her life, Jan kept a handwritten note on her bedside table which so clearly expressed her wishes for her journey from this earthly life to her heavenly home. It reads as follows: When my life is finally measured in months, weeks, days, hours......I want to live free of pain, indignity, fear, loneliness. Bundle me snuggly into a feather quilt, hand-stitched of watchful days and peaceful nights, til I rhythmically rock myself warmly away. Hold, hug, help my family, then, to understand. We, her family, thank God for the many years of beautiful memories given to us. Her legacy will continue long after her earthly presence. The hearts she has touched throughout her life are countless, and we are forever changed by her strength and love. She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Frances Bullock and Frank and Jack Duncan. She is survived by her four children, David Neese and wife Sara, Lisa Baxter and husband Kent, Paul Neese and wife Jamie, and Claire Scherer and husband Greg; six grandchildren, Chante, Adam, Lauren, Caitlin, Brennan and Seth in addition to two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her housemate and loving friend of 34 years, Eileen Gatke. Jans final resting place will be at Dodge Cemetery outside of her childhood home in Bagley, Iowa where her parents and many of her family members rest. Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 28th at 11:00 am at the Cappadona Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. Services Cappadona Funeral Home 1020 E Fillmore St Colorado Springs, CO 80907