Audrey Jane Mentzer

The sun shown bright and the lilacs were blooming as Audrey Jane Wells Mentzer bid us all adieu on April 30 to spend an eternity of dancing, travel and laughter with her one true love, Russ Mentzer. Doctors may say otherwise, but her family will tell you she really died from a terminal case of happiness and pride in a family she adored.

After a birth in Amarillo, Texas in 1927 and a childhood in Denver, Colorado, Jane’s family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Once there, she graduated from East High School and eventually met a very dashing and charming young man named Russell Mentzer. The rest is the stuff of romance novels. They raised five children, worked hard, loved much, laughed often, built a successful business and made many friends along the way.

Jane is survived by her sisters Betty Wells and Dixie (Gerald) Christiansen, as well as a gaggle of children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild: Steve Mentzer (Sue Voegtlin), Gayla (Sal) Tocco, Doug (Lisa) Mentzer, Andy Mentzer, and Tom (Loretta) Mentzer.

Jane’s grandchildren, Lenny Tocco (Emily Tocco), Janie Tocco, Kyle Mentzer and Emily Mentzer, were all treated since birth to regular doses of love, homemade macaroni and cheese, and games of dominoes. Jane’s great-grandson Peter Tocco and future great-grandchildren may never get to know Jane in person, but they will certainly be watched over and loved by her spirit.

Jane’s beloved Russ left us in 1995 to make reservations at dance clubs, plan trips, and ready an eternal love nest for his sweetheart. They are now together, laughing, having a cocktail, and dancing to familiar tunes by Ray Price and Willie Nelson. All is happy. All is bright.

The world will be a lot less beautiful and fun without Jane in it, but her family and friends know she’s in a far better place now. In fact, we’re all very jealous.

Jane leaves behind a legacy of love, respect, admiration, beautiful shoes, sparkling jewelry, stylish clothes, delicious dinners, and some of the best apple pie, cherry goodie, chocolate chip cookies, and potato salad you’ve ever tasted. Through the tears, we shall all rejoice in a life well lived.

Visitation for Audrey Jane Mentzer will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 4 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service and interment of her cremated remains will follow at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Jane’s raucous family requests you make donations to: Blank Children’s Hospital, The American Cancer Society, or The Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.