Jane E. Phalen

Jane E. Phalen, 84, of Mason City, died Monday, December 11, 2017 at the IOOF Home. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams with Rev. Neil Manternach, celebrant. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5- 7 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with a scriptural wake service at 6:30 PM. Memorials may be directed to the Jane Phalen Memorial Fund.

Jane was born November 29, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the daughter of Alan and Helen (Kratochvil) Goggin. She graduated from Holy Family High School. Jane married Dan Phalen October 11, 1952 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. Dan played professional baseball and Jane cherished their travel together in Florida for spring training. As their children reached school age, Jane worked as a para-professional in the Mason City School District. She eventually would oversee the computer lab at Mason City High School. Jane later worked as a pension specialist for Principal Financial here in Mason City. Jane and Dan spent many years actively involved in local and state politics with the Democratic Party. She continued that volunteer work with her daughter Nancy and son Matt. Following retirement, she worked as a clerk for the Iowa Legislature in Des Moines alongside daughter, Kathy. Some of her many interests included community theatre and bridge club. She was an avid reader and loved to attend her grandchildren’s many activities. Jane was a talented knitter and began a business, Country Cottage, selling kits to create Christmas stockings. She spent time teaching each grandchild her art. She also encouraged each of them to play the piano and appreciate music. Jane was a member of Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church where she enjoyed playing the organ and piano and was often asked to sing at weddings. The family would like to thank the staff at the IOOF Home for the care their mother received. There was nothing more important to Jane than her family. She instilled that love in each of us, and for that we will be forever grateful.

Jane is survived by her 4 children, Kathy (Rick) Stachon of Clear Lake, Nancy (Brian) Logan of Mason City, Matt Phalen of Mason City and Beth (Mark) Burkey of Council Bluffs; 8 grandchildren, Zach, Caitlin and Lizzy Stachon, Sandy Rabourn, Blake (Dana) Logan, Oriana Logan, Daniel (Dana) Burkey and Patrick Burkey; 5 great grandchildren, Mason, Matthew, Bradley, Macy and Brooks.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dan; granddaughter, Katie Jane; brother, Robert Goggin and step-father, Phil Jerrell.