Jan Biekert dies at 59

 
Jan Biekert age 59 of Nashua, died Thursday, July 7, 2016 at the Waverly Health Center.Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Nashua with Rev. John Tunnicliff presiding.Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 8 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2016 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home -- Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.Interment will be at Horton Cemetery with Beau Biekert and Clint Biekert servings as urnbearers.Jan Biekert was born to LaVerne and Joan (Hawker) Gibbs in Manchester, on January 28, 1957. She spent her childhood years in Nashua eventually graduating from Nashua High School in 1975. After high school, Jan worked for Winnebago Industries in Forest City,in the fiber glass department. At the beginning of 1976 a lifelong relationship was started when she met a young aspiring farmer from Nashua named Beryl. Through the next several months, their relationship together grew and matured and come fall 1976, they were engaged to be married. On June 18, 1977 they were united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashua, to this union two children were born.After their marriage, Jan and Beryl started farming in the Nashua and Plainfield areas raising corn, soybeans, hay, and dairy. On June 13, 1980 they welcomed their son Beau into the world and on June 7, 1983, God blessed them again with their second son Clint. Through the next several years, she worked at home raising her boys, managing the farm books and serving in her church and community. In 1992, she started her career in the insurance industry working as a Secretary at the Bergman, Moeller, Reuscher Insurance Agency in rural Waverly, now People’s Insurance of Tripoli, where she would continue to work until her death.  If asked if she was blessed there would be no hesitation in her answer. She took great pride in her family and friends, but was especially proud of her grandchildren. She had an enormous love for Levi, Lacy and Jesse and would take any opportunity that she could get to spend time with them, spoil them and pour her love on them. Outside of spending time with family, friends and neighbors, Jan also enjoyed gardening, traveling, and repurposing garage sale finds into various decorations and pieces of furniture.In approximately 1998, she started her battle with heart disease. She would eventually go through countless appointments, procedures, and several surgeries as she fought this battle over the years. Despite all of this she always remained positive, faithful and full of hope which is a direct result of her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.  Jan passed away on July 7, 2016, 4 days after suffering a devastating stroke. She leaves behind her husband Beryl of rural Waverly; two sons Beau (Dianna) Biekert of Waverly, Clint (Kate) Biekert of Dubuque; three grandchildren; her parents; three siblings Terry (Connie) Gibbs, Doug (Terri) Gibbs, Lori (Dave) Green and brother in law Jim Shepherd.  Her older sister Cathy Shepherd preceded her in death. Many tears have been shed, but we will never forget the legacy of love, generosity and faith that she left behind for all us to pass along to our children and grandchildren.