Jane Marie (Lang) Thompson

Jane Marie (Lang) Thompson

Grinnell

Jane Marie Lang was born at home January 8, 1932, to James Russell and Agnes Graham Lang near Brooklyn, Iowa next to Madison Church of Christ where her parents worshiped regularly. The family moved to Grinnell in 1933, and Jane attended Grinnell schools until her graduation in 1950. Following graduation, Jane took flute and voice lessons at Grinnell College. She soon met Don Thompson, and they were married at Madison Church of Christ on September 2, 1951.

To that marriage four children were born: Craig, Joy, Claudia, and Laura. As a full-time homemaker, Jane found pleasure in devoting herself to working around the house, caring for her husband, and raising their family. Faith was the cornerstone of their marriage and led them to become charter members of Grinnell Christian Church. As active members, Jane and Don instilled in their children the importance of church attendance, involvement, and living out their faith.

After residing in several houses in rural Poweshiek County, Don and Jane built a new home east of Grinnell in 1966 and lived there for seven years. In 1973, they moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where they owned Seven Minute Car Wash and Muffler Shop. Jane and Don became charter members of Hot Springs Christian Church in 1979 and helped build a new church building on Shady Grove Lane.

Desiring to be closer to family, they returned to Grinnell in 1980 and lived on West Street. In 1995, Don and Jane moved into an addition onto Joy and Danny’s home on Carroll’s Pumpkin Farm and proved to be invaluable help with the family business for nearly 20 years. Jane baked dozens of chocolate chip and molasses cookies and grew 300 mums each year. Don helped with chores and spent hours caring for the grounds.

During these years, Jane and Don made numerous trips to see Craig’s family in Tennessee, Claudia’s family in Minnesota, and spent some winters with Laura’s family in Florida. In the mid-1970’s, they visited Craig and Jill in Okinawa, Japan while Craig served in the Marines Corp.

In 2012, Jane and Don moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell. Don passed away in 2015, just short of their 64th Anniversary. Years ago Mom noted their favorite sounds: train whistles, babies, children’s voices, flute, organ, old hymns, the National Anthem, chimes, and prayers. Although common sounds, they are often the easiest to miss and yet precious. In 2020, Jane moved to Hammond Center, and as Scripture says, she was full of years and, like many of the best examples in Scripture, she lived a life full of faith and love for her family. Our family has no memory of her ever speaking a word of anger or selfishness. As she aged, her frequent questions were centered around the family, never expecting or demanding anything of us for herself. We realize now that’s the way she lived her life, for family.

Her desire to be with family took her to Palmetto, Florida to attend her granddaughter Madalyn Golightly’s wedding. Sadly, while there she fell and broke her hip. On February 27, 2024, she passed away at Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton as a result of complications following surgery.

Jane enriched our lives in simple but lasting ways. Because of her love and faith, our family roots are deep. Like her parents, her legacy of honoring God, putting faith first, and serving family will last for generations to come and that is what she desired.

Jane is survived by her children, Craig (Jill) Thompson of Piney Flats, TN; Joy (Danny) Carroll of Grinnell, IA; Claudia (Brad) Brammer of Rosemount, MN; and Laura (David) Golightly of Palmetto, FL; fifteen grandchildren, two foster grandchildren, and twenty-six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Carol Shaner of St. Clair Shores, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings Kathryn Larsen, James Lang, Grace Davidson, Eugene Lang, and John Lang.

Visitation (9:00 am) and Celebration of Life service (11:00 am) will be held at Grinnell Christian Church in Grinnell on Saturday, March 30, 2024.