Obituary of Janet K. Hong

Janet K. Hong, 65, of Iowa City, died peacefully Saturday, August 16, 2014, at home, following a 16 month battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28th at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. A time of visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service. A private family committal service will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Janet Hong Memorial Fund. Janet Kay Gustason was born April 26, 1949, in Fairfield, Iowa; the daughter of James and Harriett (Angstead) Gustason. She graduated from Fairfield High School (1967) and went on to attend the University of Iowa where she earned her BA in English and Education (1971) and, after a several year hiatus, Janet returned to the University of Iowa's School of Law to earn her JD (1989). While still in college, Janet married her first husband, Thomas Holmes on June 28, 1969. After graduating from college, Janet had a storied career in several fields. Janet taught 5th grade science, operated a successful home daycare, and for many years, was a newspaper reporter/editor for several local newspapers. During this time, Janet and Tom also found the time to raise seven wonderful children together. After graduating from law school, Janet practiced law in California for three years where she met her husband, Derek Hong. Janet and Derek were married in Los Angeles on September 16, 1992. After returning to Iowa in 1992, Janet continued to practice law and became one of the most respected experts of consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure law in the state. She operated her own solo law practice in Cedar Rapids for several years, and then joined the Lynch Dallas law firm in Cedar Rapids for several more years. In 2007, Janet and Derek (also an attorney), opened their own law firm, Hong Law PLC, with offices in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Janet's real passion was dancing. Whether it was swing dancing, ballroom dancing, salsa dancing, or just freestyle dancing without a partner, if there was music playing, you could expect Janet to be dancing to it. While Janet and Derek enjoyed dancing locally as members of several dance clubs, Janet and Derek also traveled throughout the country to attend weekend or weeklong "dance camps" to pursue their dancing passion. Janet also enjoyed many other physical activities like taking long walks through Hickory Hill Park with her faithful dog Lindy, practicing yoga, working out in her home gym, tending her garden, and chasing after her grandkids. Janet also enjoyed writing poetry and catching up with her many friends and family through Facebook. Janet was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Congenial Hundred Dance Club, Old Capitol Dance Club, USA Dance Club, Iowa State Bar Association, Linn County Bar Association, Johnson County Bar Associations, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and National Association of Consumer Advocates. Janet's family includes her husband, Derek; children, Oliver Holmes of Iowa City, Sylvia Holmes of Moab, UT, Emily Holmes of Chicago, Williams Holmes of Seattle, Jessica Holmes of Phoenix, Randall Holmes and his wife, Bora Plaku of Stanford, CA, and James Holmes of Mesa, AZ; mother, Harriett Gustason of Freeport, IL; grandchildren, Ava Holmes of Seattle, and Josh and Chloe Betancourt of Chicago; and siblings, Mary Anne Janssen (Duane) of Lanark, IL, Margaret Majors (Paul) of Fort Atkins, WI, and David Gustason (Tammy) of Lena, IL. Janet was preceded in death by her father, James and brother, Randall.