Elizabeth “Jane” Kaczinski

Elizabeth “Jane” Kaczinski

Washington

Elizabeth “Jane” Kaczinski, 91, of Washington, IA, died Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Halcyon House.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. The family will be present to receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday. A Catholic Daughters Rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at St. James Church. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established to St. James Catholic Church, St. James Catholic School or Paws and More Animal Shelter. Online condolences may be sent for Jane’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Jane was born March 1, 1933 in Morning Sun, IA, the daughter of William F. and Louisa (Vaughn) Finke. On November 24, 1974 she married Max Kaczinski Jr. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Burlington, IA. He preceded her in death.

Jane attended country school and also attended school in Wyman, IA, before graduating from Columbus Junction High School in 1950. She moved to Burlington, Iowa after her high school graduation and began working for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator. She retired in 1982 with 30 years of service.

Jane was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Washington and was very involved in parish activities. Over the years, Jane volunteered at Earthly Blessings and Washington County Hospital gift shop. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and Catholic Daughters. For many years, she was the early morning lady at Curves/Fitness and Friends. Jane was an excellent cook, seamstress and baker. The amount of wedding and birthday cakes she baked for friends and family are too numerous to count.

She is survived by her five children; Mary Ann (David) Reiling of Denison, IA, James (Kristy Lonsdale) Kaczinski of Stuart, IA, Larry Kaczinski of Gladstone, IL, Mike (Dawn) Kaczinski of New London, IA and Cindy (Rex) Evans of Hugo, MN. Grandchildren; Deborah (Nate) Kesling, Kristen (Ben) Mueggenberg, James (Teri) Kaczinski, Nancy (Greg) Kusek, Kenneth (Amanda) Kaczinski, Dylan and Dusty Kaczinski, Erin (Ben) Seibert, Jessie (Calton) English, Sarah (Derek) Sprang and Taylor Evans. Stepgrandchildren; Nikki (Jason) Girard, Amber and Johnathon Lonsdale. Sixteen great-grandchildren. In addition, there are many nieces and nephews which she cherished.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband; Max Kaczinski Jr. in 2010; sisters; Ione Sherer, Doris Mumme, Evelyn and Mary Finke, and brother; Leo Finke. She is also preceded in death by brothers-in-law; Lyle Sherer and Roy Mumme; sister-in-law; Shirley Finke and her beloved dog Ruby Ann.

We would like to thank the staff at Halcyon House and Hospice Compassus who took wonderful care of her these last four years. They treated Jane with kindness and compassion and gave us comfort that she was well taken care of.