Jane Ellen Emeis

Jane Ellen Freshwater Emeis, 76, of Davenport passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025 at MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center. Per her request, cremation rites have been accorded and a private service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery.

Janie, as she was known to all, was born January 30, 1948 to Adrian and Dorothea Freshwater in Davenport, IA. She graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1966. She was united in marriage to Roger W. Emeis on June 29, 1968. He preceded her in death in 2003. Janie and Roger resided in Bettendorf where they raised their two children, Sarah and Joseph. Janie graduated from the University of Iowa in 1989 with a BA in Education. Prior to her retirement, Janie derived great satisfaction from her work as a facilitator for the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program in the Department of Corrections. Previously, Janie was the director of Youth Grief Support and was active in hospice and grief education for 25 years. In all of her roles, Janie had a tremendous influence in the lives of hundreds of people. Over the years, Janie was active with Junior League of the Quad Cities, Genesis Hospital Auxiliary, and Junior Board the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. She was a past president of PEO Chapter GW and served on the Board of Directors of Empowering Abilities (HDC) for 30 years. Janie and Roger joined forces in several civic ventures including the Adler Theatre/River Center Project, HDC expansion, and American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Janie was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as a ruling elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and a devoted member of the Sanctuary choir. She and Roger helped organize the annual choir retreat to Stronghold for over 30 years.

Her greatest joys were spending time with her family and friends. With Roger, she enjoyed golf, bridge, traveling, hosting dinner parties (often to benefit charitable causes,) pool parties and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes. In recent years, she played online bridge almost daily and enjoyed striking up conversations at local lunch venues. Attending her grandchildren’s activities was one of her favorite pastimes.

Those close to Janie knew that she loved spirited conversation, eloquent writing and proper grammar. She was honored to write and deliver funeral orations, present a retirement tribute and officiate two weddings. She will probably best be remembered for her humor. Janie could make those who loved her laugh very handily and that’s how she would like to be remembered.

Janie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Thomas Budan, son, Joseph Emeis, grandchildren Madeline and Charles Budan, brother Marty (Sally) Freshwater and sister Debra (Craig) Swartz.

Memorials in Janie’s name may be made to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.