Janet (Jan) Louise Fuhrmeister Mitchell-Hotka

Dec 30, 1954 -  Aug 16, 2016

61, of Cedar Rapids, completed her final journey to be with her Lord and Savior following a two-year courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2016. Services: 11 a.m., Saturday, at Stonebridge Church by Pastor Randy Scheil. Burial: 9 a.m. Friday, at Czech National Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday after 10 a.m. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.
https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/home/index.cfm…

Jan is survived by her husband, Dennis Hotka; five children, Justin (Megan) Mitchell, James (Melissa) Mitchell both of Cedar Rapids, Julie Mitchell of Los Angeles, CA, Jonathan (Natalia) Mitchell and Elizabeth Hotka both of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Jozlynn, Jaxon, Jase, Landyn, Solomon, Lauryn and one on the way; and father-in-law Harold Mitchell of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Frank and Laurine Leeney and William and Eleanor Fuhrmeister; and grandbaby Mitchell.

Jan entered this world on December 30, 1954 the daughter of Theodore and Marlene (Leeney) Fuhrmeister. Although she was born in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids was always Jan’s home. She graduated from Jefferson High School (class of 1973) and the University of Northern Iowa (class of 1977) with a degree in Education and the Governor's Award for academic excellence. She married Dennis Hotka on June 29, 1996 in Cedar Rapids. She had been previously married to Jeffrey Mitchell. Jan taught for five years at St. Matthew and St. Jude Catholic Schools before deciding to open a day care center in her home. For over 34 years, she welcomed children into her home and her life. Jan proudly announced that she potty trained half of Cedar Rapids!

Jan believed that one of the special gifts of this world is relationships and she invested in people. Jan was an active member of Stonebridge Church and offered a listening ear to all who needed comfort. She was frequently spotted driving around Cedar Rapids in a van full of singing children or at Morgan Creek Park deep in conversation as she walked through the arboretum.

Although Jan accomplished many goals during her life, including her childhood dream of owning a horse and piano, the achievement she held most dear is her family. Jan was her children and grandchildren’s biggest fan. The smell of fresh baked cookies daily invited her family to sit in the kitchen and discuss life. She cheered the loudest for 28x at local race tracks and was the perpetual homeroom mom at school. Jan taught her family to love as deeply as she did.

Jan’s patient and selfless nature was life-changing to all who knew her. She brought joy to countless children, was a constant source of inspiration and strength for her family, and never tired of serving the Lord. Her legacy is love and in love she will always be remembered.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.