Marcia Beth Jansen

Born on March 15, 1939 in Pekin to Bernard William and Estella Marie (Bodi) Groen, she married Larry R. Fabry on December 27, 1960 in Pekin. He passed on July 19, 1973. She later married Kenneth D. Jansen on March 19, 1974 in Pekin. He died on March 30, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Leanne Jones.

Surviving are one son, Jeffrey (Teri) Fabry of Kaneohe, Hawaii; two daughters, Laura (Andrew) Preston of Portland, Oregon and Lynn Ann (Brad) Curless of Pekin; five grandchildren, Jacqueline (Corey) Edmonds of Boulder City, Nevada, Margaret Preston of Portland, Oregon, Helen Preston of Chicago, Elizabeth Curless and Evan Curless, both of Pekin; two great-grandchildren, Vincent Edmonds and Jeffery Edmonds of Boulder City, Nevada; one sister, Bernadine Jones of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and her three nieces, Cynthia Smith-Jans (Tim Jans) of Elmhurst, Julie Smith of Interlochen, Michigan and Kristine Jones of Houston, Texas.

Marcia graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1962. She worked for the Pekin Public Schools District 108 for 38 years. She taught 2nd grade at Garfield and Willow Schools for 33 years and worked in the learning center at Willow for the last 5 years before retiring in 2001. Her career was her passion and her true calling. She touched the lives of so many children for the better and would still, 24 years after retirement run into former students who would say, “Hello Mrs. Jansen”.

Marcia was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, Illinois Education Association, Tazewell County Retired Teachers, National Education Association, Illinois Retired Teachers, P.E.O. Sisterhood Illinois State Chapter OE, and Pekin Civic Chorus where she served as a board member, past president and sang with numerous productions.

An open house to celebrate Marcia’s life will be announced at a later date. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.

To express condolences online visit, www.Preston-Hanley.com.