Janice (Jan) Bortz, age 81, of Ames, Iowa, passed away at Northcrest Retirement Community in Ames on July 12, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. A gathering of friends and family for burial and a graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on July 19, 2020, in the Forest Lawn Section of the Ames Municipal Cemetery, 310 E. 9th Street, Ames, Iowa. Face masks and lawn chairs are encouraged if attending. A celebration of life service will take place at a future time at First United Methodist Church, Ames, Iowa.
Janice Elaine Shepherd was born March 6, 1939, in Bethesda, Ohio, the daughter of Keenan "Dick" and Helen (Price) Shepherd. She graduated from Bethesda Ohio High School. Jan then became a bookkeeper and keypunch operator in Columbus, Ohio, where she met her husband, Walter. They married on June 1, 1963. When the couple started a family, Jan became a full-time homemaker, wife and mother. They moved around a bit as Walt finished his degrees before they arrived in Ames in 1971. She was the Treasurer for First United Methodist Church for four years and then became bookkeeper for Ames Golf and Country Club for nine years.
Jan will be remembered for her willingness to help and her dedication to First United Methodist Church; serving as head usher for both services for a number of years, a Communion steward, a United Methodist Women member, and choir member. Some of her greater joys came by doing something for someone else when it was least expected. She loved to entertain or bake and share with other residents.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, Tommy, and her husband, Walt, of 48 years. Jan is survived by her daughters; Elaine (David), Diane, and Cheryl; three grandchildren Savannah, Jacob, and Julian; and a brother, Reverend William (Alice).
Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions in honor of Jan may also be directed to Northcrest Community or the Northcrest Foundation, 1801 20th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010.