Beth C. Janecek

Beth C. Janecek

Washington

Beth C. Janecek, 100, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Halcyon House in Washington following a short illness.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2023, at the West Chester United Methodist Church with Pastor Don Patterson officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Jones & Eden Facebook page. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the Washington Public Library or the West Chester United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent for Beth’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.

Beth was born June 1, 1922, on the family farm near Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of William O. and Emma M. (Wischmeier) Reif. Beth was the youngest of 6 children. She graduated from West Chester High School in 1939 and attended Parsons College in Fairfield for two years where she obtained her teaching certificate. Beth was united in marriage to Clyde J. Griggs on August 12, 1941, in Clayton, Georgia. Clyde passed away in 1946. She was later united in marriage to Louis Janecek on March 18, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Louis passed away in 1960. Following the death of Louis, Beth took classes and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Parsons College in 1965.

Beth taught elementary school in Salem, Kalona, West Chester, and Mid-Prairie (West Chester Elementary and Wellman Elementary). She taught for 30 years and loved teaching. Beth was also an accomplished pianist and taught piano lessons for many years. She was a member of the West Chester United Methodist Church. Beth was the church pianist for her churches in West Chester for over 60 years. She enjoyed collecting and displaying rocks and sea shells. Beth was fortunate to live on the family farm and enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.

She is survived by daughter, Carmen (Diana Miller) Griggs of Iowa City, Iowa; son, Tracy (Sue) Janecek of Washington, Iowa; three grandchildren, Amy Janecek of Dallas, Texas; Curt (Sarah Witthoft) Janecek of Washington, Iowa; and Chris (Julie) Janecek of Keota, Iowa; as well as six great-grandchildren, Stella, Cayla, Sawyer, Averi, Lane and Tucker Janecek.

Beth was preceded in death by her husbands, Clyde Griggs and Louis Janecek; and siblings, Oliver Reif, Gale Reif, Suzann Morlan, Agnes Kepler and Grayce Bennett.