Obituary of Dorothy Jansen

Dorothy Jean Jansen passed away on July 31, 2025 at Briarwood Healthcare Center in Iowa City, Iowa. She was born on May 1, 1928, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Lawrence Hamilton and Naomi (Martelle) Hamilton.

Dorothy graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1946. After training at The Medical Associates in Dubuque, she became an x-ray technician.

On September 4, 1948, she married William (Bill) Jansen at Immanuel Congregational Church in Dubuque. They raised their four children in Dubuque and lived there until 1982 when they moved to Sioux City, Iowa.

Dorothy was active in both communities. In Dubuque, she served as a board member of Visiting Nurses Association, first as junior member and then as an elected senior member. At Immanuel, she taught high school Sunday School with Bill, sang in the choir, and served on several boards. She also was a faithful P.E.O. member. In Sioux City, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church, transferred her P.E.O. membership to chapter IA, and was a dedicated volunteer at St. Luke's Methodist Hospital.

Toward the end of her life, she moved to North Liberty for seven years to be near her son David and his wife Lynn, who devoted much loving care to her and where she could easily see her daughters and their families as they came to visit from other states.

Dorothy took pleasure in gardening, golf, Bridge and many other card games, and entertaining friends and family in her home. She was a much-loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The family, although spread out across the country, were close-knit thanks to the biennial reunions over 25 years that Bill and Dorothy began.

She is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Douglas) Kunkle, Linda (Nathan) Aaseng, and Jean Kahl; a son, David (Lynn) Jansen; grandchildren Kelli (John Day) Kunkle-Day, Jonathan (Meredith) Kunkle, Jay (Amber Henson) Aaseng, Maury (Charlene) Aaseng, Mikhaila (Brandon) Dattoli, Evan Aaseng, Carolyn (Jason) Hardy, Brian (Kristine) Kahl, Michael (Melanie) Kahl, Joshua Jansen, Jonathan Jansen, and Cara Jansen; 12 grandchildren, and 17 great­grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Bill of 67 years, her parents, her stepmother Stella Hamilton, her sister Mary (Hamilton) Enabnit, and her son-in-law Douglas Kahl.

A funeral service is planned for August 31 at First United Methodist Church of North Liberty, 85 North Jones Blvd, North Liberty, Iowa. Visitation will be from  2:30-4:00 with the service following. Dinner will be served following the service. Burial will be at a later date in Dubuque, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to Immanuel United Church of Christ at 1795 Jackson St, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, First United Methodist Church at 1915 Nebraska St., Sioux City, Iowa, 51104, Iowa City Free Lunch Program at 1105 Gilbert Court, Suite 100, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240, or a charity of your choice.