Janet Ranum

Janet Joy Ranum, 68, of Bettendorf, Iowa died on December 1, 2013 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at St. James Lutheran Church, Bettendorf.  She will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, Bettendorf; Gilda’s Club, Davenport; Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf or to the family for donation.

Janet was born January 22, 1945 to Elmer and Florence (Steffen) Timm in Davenport, Iowa. She was raised by her father and step-mother Wilma (Bannick) Timm. Janet considered close family friends Betty and Merlin Platt to be her “Second Parents.”

Janet graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1964. Shortly after graduation, she landed an office position at the Warren L. Langwith auto dealership where she met Lawrence (Larry) Ranum, a shy mechanic from Wisconsin. After one date at the Bel Air Drive-In, she knew Larry was the man of her dreams. They were married by candle light on October 7, 1967.

Eager to begin a family together, Janet and Larry purchased their one and only home to raise two children, Melissa and Brian. She was a devoted wife and mother.

After several years, Janet returned to the work force in 1982 as a teller and eventually a loan officer at Ascentra Credit Union (formerly Alcoa Employee’s Credit Union.) Although she would ardently deny it, she was respected and admired by her co-workers and the members of Ascentra. Her caring nature had members visiting her for business purposes, but mostly to stop for a chat. She cherished the numerous friends she made at Ascentra. In 2010, she reluctantly retired due to illness.

Janet was enchanted by the beauty of nature around her. She loved the change of seasons - spring’s blossoms and daffodils; summer’s opportunity to fill an old tennis shoe with marigolds or a rusty wheelbarrow tipped on its side spilling forth her red and white impatiens; autumn’s vibrant colors and winter’s gentle snow.

Transfixed by the magnificence of the bald eagles as they soared over the Mississippi River - Janet could watch for hours. When the Alcoa EagleCam came on the scene - she was glued to her laptop enjoying the eagle family’s every move. She was also partial to deer. A ride through the country was a chance to catch a glimpse of one and she considered it a win when she spotted their black eyes peering back at her.

Always the gracious competitor who played to win, Janet rarely turned down an opportunity to play cards or games. She particularly enjoyed playing euchre, golf, Scrabble and Farkle with her Wednesday night girlfriends from grade-school days.

Her favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. She thoroughly enjoyed the Bettendorf parade, street fair and fireworks show.

Anyone privy to Janet’s reminiscing of the “old days” would hear endearing tales of family camping trips where she believed a roaring campfire was mandatory regardless of the weather. Her fire was certain to be the hottest in the campground.

She loved being a Lutheran and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Bettendorf. Janet’s faith in God sustained her through her darkest hours of facing seemingly endless health obstacles. Her positive attitude was contagious as she would proclaim, “Someone else has it worse,” all the while feeling sorry for that someone and not for herself.

Her greatest joy came from her family. Janet’s husband, Larry was the love of her life, protector and devoted care giver. She deeply loved her children, Melissa and Brian. The title “Grandma” was one of her proudest achievements and she adored her three granddaughters immensely.

Janet (or “Sam” as she was lovingly nicknamed by her closest family) believed her life was insignificant - she could not be persuaded otherwise. However, the evidence of her impact will live on in the hearts of the countless people who knew her. Sam was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her step-mother Wilma Timm; half-sister Sharon (Roger) Rice; husband Larry Ranum; daughter, Melissa Ranum (Rick Zawada); son, Brian (Tonya) Ranum; three granddaughters, Reese, Chloe and Zoe and best friend, Jeannette Ward.

She is preceded in death by her mother Florence and her father Elmer.

The Ranum family thanks all of the medical professionals who cared for Janet during her illness. A special thank you to the Team J&L Support Network for your prayers and encouraging messages.