Ann Janis Bartz, 69, Monona, Iowa, died Tuesday, October 26, at Good Samaritan Society, West Union, Iowa. Ann was born on July 6, 1952 in Postville, Iowa, to LaVerne and Marilyn (Olson) Larson. She was baptized and confirmed at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont, Iowa. Ann graduated from Valley High School in 1970. She graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing at North Iowa Area Community College in 1972, and began working as a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
Ann was united in marriage to David Bartz on February 10, 1973, also at East Clermont Lutheran Church. Three children, Amy, Sara and Joel, were born to this marriage.
Only days after their wedding, Ann and David moved to San Bernardino, California, where David was stationed in the Air Force and Ann worked in a hospital. They moved back to Iowa where they farmed from 1978-1997 near Maynard, Fredericksburg, McGregor and Monona. During this time, Ann worked tirelessly helping with any and all farm tasks, specifically, raising the dairy calves. In addition to her farm responsibilities, Ann resumed her nursing career in 1988, working nights at a nursing home in Prairie du Chein, WI. In 1992, Ann began working as a surgical nurse at Palmer Lutheran Hospital, in West Union, Iowa. After twenty five years of driving, arriving at work by 0600, and taking calls on nights and weekends, Ann retired in 2017.
Throughout her lifetime, Ann enjoyed playing the organ for church services. She also played for numerous weddings, funerals, holidays and other special events. She rarely missed her children’s and grandchildren’s music and athletic activities. Ann liked to read, cook, bake, sew and knit. She worked hard and always put her family, dairy calves and patients before herself. She will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Survivors include her her mother, Marilyn Larson, Elgin; mother-in-law, Delores Bartz, Fayette; three children, Amy (Tracy) Decker, Monona; Sara (Miles) Pankonen, Ames; Joel (Rachel) Bartz, Van Meter; eleven grandchildren, Bryce, Peyton, Micah, Karter, Kashton, Maddison, Karsyn, Dalton, Kara, Danica and Kamryn; two sisters, Lois (Kim) Dummermuth, Elgin; Barbara (Brian) Wenger, Elgin; three brothers, Gary (LeAnn) Larson, Clermont; James Larson, Postville; David (Janelle) Larson, Elgin; and a host of other family and friends.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, David (2009); father, LaVerne Larson; and father-in-law, Arnold Bartz.
Visitation will be held from 3-6 pm on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Monday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Monday, November 1, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, Iowa with Rev. Caleb Schewe as the officiant.
Inurnment will follow at Monona Cemetery in Monona, Iowa.
Memorials in Ann’s honor, may be made to Maple Memory Lane, 100 Bolger Dr, Fayette, IA 52142 or St. Paul Lutheran Church, McGregor, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.