In Memory of Janiece Louise Lehmann

Janiece Louise Lehmann, age 72, of Battle Creek, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Pastor Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal will be held at a later date. A Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. from 7:00 p.m., February 15, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Janiece Louise Lehmann was born on May 16, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN. As a small child Janiece was adopted by Carl and Berniece (Hendricks) Peterson of Battle Creek, IA, joining the family along with her brother, Marc Peterson. She grew up in Battle Creek and prior to adulthood her parents passed away and Janiece was taken in by Arlo and Nellie Behn. She received her education in the Battle Creek Public School District and graduated with the Class of 1964.  Afterward, she furthered her education at the Antonian School of Practical Nursing in Carroll, IA and received her diploma in 1965, then later became an LPN. Upon graduating she purchased her first new car, a bright red Volkswagen Beetle, and then began her career at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA, on the OB floor.

Janiece relocated to Battle Creek and worked at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, IA.  On November 24, 1967, in the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Janiece married the love of her life, Jerome Lehmann. The couple lived in Battle Creek for a short time and was blessed with two sons, Kyle and Jerrod, before relocating to Alexander, IA, where Jerome worked for a large farming operation and Janiece was a stay-at-home mother. Realizing they wanted to be closer to family they moved back to Battle Creek in 1977 to make their forever home.

In the 80’s she started a career with the Battle Creek Public School District. You may remember her smile on your bus ride home or as she served you lunch.  After nearly twenty years, Janiece then worked briefly at Ida Services Incorporated before she retired completely after being diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer. After her courageous fight the cancer went into remission.

Her kindness never ended as she was always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether it was driving family and friends to and from appointments, caring for their pets, running errands, or donating her time at her local church, Janiece’s love of life and smile brought comfort and encouragement to those around her. She had an affinity for driving no matter the reason and many would attest seeing her zooming by in the countless vehicles she owned over the years.

She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church and active in Presbyterian Women. Janiece loved music, movies, gardening and researching her genealogy which she conducted to find her biological relatives. She was successful in identifying birth relatives, primarily through a well-known DNA website service, and was able to locate and connect with some living relation, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hers. She was active in her cancer survivor group and cherished all of their friendships and support. The most important thing in her life was her family. Janiece adored spending time and attending her children and grandchildren’s activities, fishing, gardening and sharing her bounty from her golf cart, and spending time together.  She also enjoyed times with her extended family as well as her close friends for all sorts of occasions, large or small.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 51 years, Jerome Lehmann of Battle Creek, IA; sons Kyle Lehmann of Battle Creek, IA and Jerrod (Tami) Lehmann of Carroll, IA; grandchildren Alex (Rachael) Lehmann of Lincoln, NE, Zachary, Angelina and Maverick Lehmann of LaPlata, MD, Brenna and Korbin Lehmann of Carroll, IA; brother Marc (Mary) Peterson of Algona, IA; extended family and a host of friends.

Janiece was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Berniece Peterson; and the couple who raised her, Arlo and Nellie Behn.