Obituary for Janita Arlene Loftus

Janita Arlene (Dummermuth) Loftus, age 89, of West Union passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society of West Union. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union, with lunch to follow. Visitation will be held at the church 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 17, and 10-11 a.m. Saturday, February 18.  

Janita was born December 6, 1933, on the family farm nicknamed “The Goose Ranch”, the only daughter of Emery Robert and Mildred Harriet (Bloomfield) Dummermuth.  Janita was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union, where she was a lifelong member.  She was united in marriage on October 27, 1962, to Daniel Joseph Loftus at the Bethel Presbyterian Church West Union.  To this union, a daughter Bridget, son Robert “Bob,” and son Joseph “Joe” were born.  

Janita went to country school from the late 1930s until the mid-1940s by way of horse back with her older brother, Robert “Bob” Emery Dummermuth.  Janita often talked about her brother and how she loved the time they spent together on the farm riding ponies and horses and especially time working with their father and mother.  Janita moved with her family during the 1940s to an additional farm on the Elgin blacktop. She attended and graduated from West Union High School in 1952.  She was active in the marching band, plays and many civic organizations.  

Janita was still in high school when tragedy struck. Her beloved brother, Bob, volunteered to serve in the United States Army and was killed in action while serving in Korea.  Bob was married to Patti Bostrom of West Union and expecting their first child when the news came.  Jon (Dummermuth) Heyer was born soon after and Janita was glad to have a small part of her brother nearby.  Following high school Janita went on to study laboratory and radiology science.

Janita later worked on the family farm with her mother and father taking on many roles her brother once had such as crop farming, running a cow calf herd, and raising feeder cattle.  While partnered with her dad in the cattle business, she also worked in the Twin City area hospitals.  Following her father’s passing in 1960, she returned to the West Union area to run the family farm with her mother.  

Janita and Dan bought a farm near her parent’s home east of West Union on Highway18.  They continued to farm the Elgin blacktop farm, and rented the Goose Ranch out, actively participating in the milking operations.  Janita enjoyed bowling and was an outstanding golfer, having shot a hole-in-one while playing a tournament in Storm Lake.  

During the mid-80s Janita came to the difficult decision to sell two of the farms and rent the crop land out surrounding her home.  At this time Janita went on to work at a local convenience store where she quickly moved into a managerial role.  She very much enjoyed interacting with the public and the short visits she was able to have with many people in the community.  

Janita mentioned on occasions that she dreamt of riding a boat up and down the Mississippi River.  She shifted occupations and became one of the dealers on Iowa’s first riverboat casino in Dubuque’s Ice Harbor, the Casino Bell in 1991. Janita worked at most of the riverboat casinos in the Dubuque area until 2011, when she retired after completing her 20th year.  

Janita and the family were struck with tragedy once again in August of 1997 when her youngest child, Joe was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Having lost both a brother at a young age and a son that was just 27 years old weighed heavily, not only on Janita, but the entire family.  Janita was a strong person that carried her pain well.  Nearly 26 years later, she surely is enjoying the reunion with her brother and son. 

She had many fond memories of customers and her dear friends from the area.  Janita continued visiting her friends Linda, Elaine, Sonny and Rayetta for many years, seeing plays in the area and enjoying a bit of wine with the ladies.  These people meant a lot to Janita and was fortunate that they would drive to West Union for regular visits.  

Following retirement Janita continued to enjoy hobbies such as sewing, gardening, wood carving, playing bridge with local friends, and traveling to see her friends and family.  

Janita is preceded in death by her parents Emery and Mildred, her brother Bob, husband Dan, son Joe, and special friend Jerry Hutchens. Those left to cherish her memories are her daughter Bridget Jensen of Lemoore, CA; son Bob (Nancy) Loftus of West Union, IA.  Grandchildren Emery and Ryan Jensen of San Diego, CA; Brandi (Trent) Nelson of Emmetsburg, IA, and Zachery “Zach” (Kassondra) Loftus of Charter Oak, IA. Step grandchildren Andy (Krista) Lynam of Treynor, Iowa and Erin Lynam of Papillion NE. Great grandchildren Addison and Carson Nelson of Emmetsburg, IA; Oaklynn and Hudson Loftus of Charter Oak, IA. Step great-grandchildren Kinsley Lynam of Treynor and Lennox Lynam of Papillion, and many nieces and nephews.

Cards and memorials can be sent to the family at 8394 Harding Road, West Union, Iowa 52175.