Janet Grossnickle

Janet “Jan” L. Grossnickle was born in Akron, Ohio on May 11, 1940, the youngest of Paul and Emily (Hanna) Tobias’ 11 children. She passed away on March 8, 2024, surrounded by her children at the Laurens Care Center in Laurens, Iowa, following complications from a stroke.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Albert City Evangelical Free Church in Albert City, Iowa. Burial will be in the Laurens Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Albert City Evangelical Free Church at 212 Flower St. Albert City, IA 50510. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Jan’s mother told her that she would either marry a preacher or a farmer. While attending McPherson College in McPherson, KS, she met Wayne Grossnickle, the man who made her mother's prediction come true. They married in 1964 and farmed together until Wayne retired in 2000, when they moved to Laurens. Jan lovingly cared for Wayne through his long battle with Alzheimer's prior to his death in 2022. She loved living on the farm where she helped out in every season. 

Jan had a degree in elementary education and taught school for one year before starting a family. She lovingly cared for their three children, Helen, Jeff and Heather. Grandma Jan was loved fiercely by her grandchildren with good reason. She and Wayne loved attending their activities: she often said “Children spell love T-I-M-E.” Some of their fondest memories are making and playing with play-doh, playing catch, Easter egg hunts, shopping for fabric at the quilt store, playing and listening to music on the record player, frosting and decorating Christmas cookies, learning to sew, hiring them to clean so she could give them money and taking trips to the park – just to name a few. Jan and Wayne attended countless choir and band concerts, sporting events and plays. 

Jan lived to serve. She served her family, fellow church members, residents of Homestead Cooperative and neighbors. People can easily list their favorite foods lovingly prepared by Jan: her delicious applesauce, little people cookies, communion bread, peanut butter pie, etc. Jan served people as a home healthcare worker, a housekeeper, Sunday School teacher and a church deaconess. 

Jan served Jesus. She was deeply committed to her faith and she worked at it, studying the Bible and sharing what God did for her in hundreds of ways. As a young adult, she helped others through Brethren Volunteer Service for one year in Chicago before enrolling in college. 

Jan is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Grossnickle; her parents; and 7 siblings.

Jan is survived by her three children Helen Kingman and husband Guy, Jeff Grossnickle and wife Lisa and Heather Runneberg and husband Pete; grandchildren Julia Mohler, Alexandrea Keller and husband Micheal, Regan Doely and husband David, Teagan Winger and husband Keith, and Devin Grossnickle and wife Allison; great-grandchildren Harrison and Jett Keller, Dax and Archer Doely and Tate Winger; siblings Ida Jean James, Beverly (Ron) Petry, Galen (Peggy) Tobias, sister-in-law Georgia Tobias, brother-in-law Max (Bonnie) Grossnickle and many beloved nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Jan truly left a mark on this world by those that she touched throughout her life. Her loss will be felt by many, but her family has great peace knowing that she is reunited with her husband, Wayne, and living in her eternal home.

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