Joan P Jackson

Joan Phyllis Lansing Jackson, 80, died Friday, January 21, 2011, at home with her family at her side. She was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter and sister. Joan was born on January 6, 1931 to Albert and Anna (Baumler) Lansing in Mason City, Iowa. She married H. James "Jim" Jackson at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mason City, Iowa on June 21, 1952. He preceded her in death on August 9, 2009.

She is survived by a daughter Ann and husband Ray Stoner of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, son Thomas and wife Deb of Ft. Meyers, Florida, daughter Mary of Houston, Texas, and son James and wife Tatiana of Cedar Falls, Iowa; 13 grandchildren Caitlin, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Alice, Thomas Jr., Jessica, William, Daniel, Anna, Sophia, Alexandra, Dominic, Frances; and one great grandchild, Cole Thomas. Also one brother, Mark and wife Linda Lansing, Dubuque, Iowa, sister-in-law Kay Lansing, Louisville, Kentucky; brother-in-laws Joe Jackson and wife Karen of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Andrew Jackson and wife Aura of Omaha, Nebraska; Steve Jackson and wife Dianne of Jefferson, Iowa; Delmar Hobart, Des Moines, Iowa and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Joan attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota for two years and transferred to Iowa State Teacher's College, Cedar Falls, Iowa where she received a BA in Elementary Education in 1952. She taught school in Davenport and Mason City, Iowa from 1953-1956. In 1957, Joan and Jim moved to Augsburg, Germany where they both taught school.

In 1962 after five years overseas, Joan and Jim returned to Cedar Falls where Joan volunteered for many years at the Sartori Memorial Hospital gift shop, served for 15 years on the Cedar Falls Library Board and in 1971 co-founded Birthright of Black Hawk County, serving in various capacities for the ensuing 30 years. Joan was a passionate and unbending advocate for the rights of the unborn believing that every woman has the right to give birth and that every child has the right to be born.

Joan was an Oblate of St. Benedict and an active 40 year member of Saint Patrick Parish, Cedar Falls.  For the last five years Joan was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. In retirement Joan and Jim enjoyed world travel and spending time with their 13 grandchildren. Joan's love of the Church was unsurpassed although her passion for reading as well as giving gifts to friends and acquaintances were a close second.  Joan also loved priests and became friends with and supported a great multitude throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant twins James Mark and Joan Mary, and infant daughter Margaret Mary, a granddaughter Rachel Ann Stoner, and brother Gene Lansing.

Services will be 10:30 am Saturday, January 29, 2011, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 3:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, January 28, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, with a rosary at 4:00 pm and a vigil service at 7:00 pm.  Visitation also one hour before the service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to  Birthright of Black Hawk County or the Rachel Ann Stoner Scholarship, Mt. Mercy College. Online condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com .