Janet "Jan" S Gress

Obituary Janet Schrank Gress, 67, of Fort Collins passed away at home on May 7, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Jan was born September 2, 1953 in Baltimore, Maryland to Helmut and Gladys Schrank. She grew up in the Baltimore area and graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. She later attended the University of Northern Colorado where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Much of her professional life was spent working at Poudre Valley Hospital and the Eye Center of Northern Colorado. Jan also volunteered at the Christ Clinic, offering her time and comfort to helping the underserved obtain needed healthcare. After nearly fifty years spent caring for others in the nursing profession, Jan celebrated her retirement one week before her untimely death. Jan spent a large portion of her free time creating handmade quilts for her children, siblings, nieces, nephews and their children. Learning the German language was a pursuit of hers for many years and she would practice by speaking with her father and relatives in Germany. Jan loved word games, jigsaw puzzles, reading and was a member of a neighborhood book club. Janet’s world revolved around time spent with her family and friends and she would always do anything possible to intentionally show up for each one of them. Known as “Momma Gress” to many of her daughter’s friends, anyone was welcome at her Thanksgiving table. She once welcomed a group of thirty to stay overnight prior to Easter brunch and another time a group of fifteen from Costa Rica stayed over the holidays. After Jan’s two daughters left for their post-high school pursuits, she freely offered up their bedrooms to anyone in need of short-term housing and in doing so expanded the Gress family. People described Jan as a kind and gentle soul with a generous heart and warm nature — sometimes stubborn, but always willing to stand up for her beliefs and values. Her faith was of upmost importance to her and she was a long time member of Faith Church in Fort Collins. Jan is survived by her husband Mike, daughters Kate and Molly all of Fort Collins, as well as her brother Arthur and sister Linda. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Steve. A Memorial Service to celebrate Jan’s life will be held at Faith Church on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 10 AM, with Pastor Grant Pahlau officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Every Orphan’s Hope, where Jan sponsored three girls, in care of Vessey Funeral Service, 2649 E. Mulberry Street, A-1, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Every Orphan's Hope, 3245 W Main St Ste 235/332 Frisco, TX 75034. Services Memorial Service Thursday May 20, 2021 10:00 AM Faith Church (Fort Collins) 3920 S. Shields Fort Collins, CO 80526