Janice Irene Hinson

Janice Irene Hinson died March 18, 2016, the day after her 88th birthday, surrounded by her children at her Portland, Oregon, care home. Jan was born March 17, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Clayton and Hilda Miller. She graduated from North High School in Des Moines in 1946, then earned a teaching degree from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. While at Parsons, she met Rex W. Hinson. They married in 1951, and went on to have three children, Nanci, Doug and Kathy. The couple began their careers in Carroll, Iowa, where Jan taught second grade and Rex began his optometric practice. The Hinsons moved to Marshalltown in 1959, and Jan taught for many years at elementary schools in the area, including Williams, Albion and Woodbury. Jan volunteered extensively with organizations that reflected her values. She served in several positions at First United Methodist Church; in the auxiliaries of the Iowa Optometric Association and Rotary; with Head Start and the local American Childhood Education Chapter; and as a Cub Scout den mother and on the Girl Scouts troop committee. She was active with the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, the YWCA, Women’s Club, 20th Century Club and Tomorrow Club. Her lifelong love of reading led to membership in several book clubs and service with Friends of the Library. After retiring in 1985, Jan expanded her volunteer efforts, including work at Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. She and Rex took more time to travel, as well. They enjoyed international trips with Friendship Force and group tours; visits to former exchange students they hosted through Rotary International; and visits with the families who hosted Nanci and Kathy during their Youth for Understanding trips. After Rex died in 2000, Jan moved to The Embers in Marshalltown in 2002 and then in 2009 to a similar independent living community in Portland, Oregon. Jan is survived by her children, Nanci (Steve) Anderson of Tehachapi, California, Douglas (Lisa) Hinson of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Kathy Hinson (Don Mason) of Portland, Oregon; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Robert Miller; and sister, Geraldine Cooper. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown, followed by lunch in Fellowship Hall. Memorial donations may be made to Legacy Hospice-Portland via the Good Samaritan Foundation, P.O. Box 4484, Portland, OR 97208, or to First United Methodist Church, 202 W. Main St., Marshalltown, IA 50158.