Jordis Jans

Jordis Ione (Julien) Jans, age 89 of Westbrook, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. A private family burial will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jordis Ione (Julien) Jans was born March 9, 1935, to John A. and Ida (Johnson) Julien in Dovray Township, Murray County. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray. She attended District 31 Country School through third grade and then went to Westbrook Schools, graduating in 1953. She attended Nurses Training at the New Ulm School of Practical Nursing in 1954, receiving her LPN degree. She worked at the Slayton Hospital until 1955. On May 22, 1955, Jordis was united in marriage to Kenneth Jans at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray. Together the couple lived and farmed near Dundee for two years, then near Dovray for nine years. They moved to rural Westbrook in 1966 and continued to farm. Jordis worked at the Good Samaritan Society for five years and the Westbrook Schmidt Memorial Hospital for thirty years, retiring in 2001. All the patients she cared for cherished her sweet, kind, and compassionate nature. Jordy was very involved in her community. At Trinity Lutheran Church, she sang in the church choir, was a member of the Circle group, taught Sunday School, was a Luther League leader, and held offices in WELCA and the church council. She was a member of the Clara Barton Club and volunteered at several blood drives. She also was a 4-H leader, a member on the Advisory Board for the Good Samaritan Society and participated in the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed camping and traveling with her family and friends. Some of the favorite places she and Kenny traveled to were Hawaii, Florida, Belize, and Alabama. Many friends and relatives were blessed with the birthday cards and letters that Jordy loved to send. She also enjoyed writing each day in a journal of the past day’s weather and activities. When visiting Jordy, she always had a sweet treat for you along with a hug and kiss. Her love and kindness will be cherished by all the lives that she touched. Jordis’ family would like to thank Hospice and the staff at the Good Samaritan Society for the great care given to mom the past five years.

Jordis is survived by her children: Steven (Brenda) Jans of Westbrook, Julien (Michael) Costello of New Brighton, and Jeanne (Steven) Tolzman of Waterville. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Megan (Layne) Wiborg, Scott (Dana) Jans, Michael (Kyle) Jans, Kelly (Patrick) Costello, Andrew (Maria) Costello, Kylee Tolzman, and Tyler Tolzman; nine great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Ida Julien, her husband of 48 years, Kenneth, her sister Ivis Abraham and her brother Orlenn Julien.