February 4, 1927 – December 25, 2025
(Mary) Jane Carter Milnes, daughter of James Cloyse and Flora Edna (Ball) Carter, was born February 4, 1927, in Appanoose County, near Plano, Iowa. Reared in a Christian home, she professed her belief in Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age and was baptized at the age of 12 in the Chariton River near her home. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1944.
Following graduation she worked for the Veterans Administration as an administrative assistant in the Chariton, Iowa office. It was there she met her future husband, John R. Milnes. They were united in marriage September 15, 1946 at the Chariton River Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Leroy Sparks officiating. John died September 13, 2009. The couple made their first home in Chariton and started a family. In 1957, Jane and John, along with their four children, moved to Sumner, Iowa, where they had purchased the Berg Funeral Home. As the business expanded, Jane and John entered into a partnership with Max and Wilma Emerson in 1967. They later purchased the Emerson’s share and expanded the business with funeral homes in Hawkeye and Fayette. In 1984, the business was sold to Robert and Linda Becker.
Along with assisting her husband in the funeral business, Jane spent her days caring for their children. She was active in the community and was a member of the Sumner United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Sumner Women’s Club and the Chapter FH, P.E.O. She also served for many years as a Cub Scout Den Mother and volunteered with the band, vocal and athletic booster clubs of the Sumner Community Schools.
The love of her life was her family. Her Christian faith was her guide and anchor as she navigated a life filled with joys and challenges.
Jane made everyone feel that they were loved and valued. She had a joyful, sparkling personality and was curious, stylish and full of life. She took college courses in her seventies, performed in plays and learned to play the violin. She loved shopping for shoes and kept Zappos in business. Even in her later years, she kept up with streaming shows, texting, Facebook, online shopping and “Googling’’ on her laptop.
Proverbs 31:28 says “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her…” This was true of Jane.
Her husband, children, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren experienced her kindness, wisdom, patience and perseverance.
Jane was living in Ames, Iowa, where she shared a home with her daughter and son-in -law, Barb and Bill Holt. She died peacefully at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Christmas Day, December 25. She was 98 years old.
Jane is survived by three children; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandsons: John B. (Julia) Milnes, Marshall (Jackie) Harper, Preslee, Leon Milnes and Kyle Milnes; Cal (Katy) Milnes, Michelle (Dan), Kyle (Shannon), Brant, Kayce, Theo Chipera and Collyn Chipera; Arthur (Leslie), Joshua, Sadie, Francesca and Callihan Milnes; Mike (Krista), Hayden and Grace Milnes; Barb (Bill) Holt, Erik Holt, Kari (Dave) Ildri Jane and Asher Weaver; Kirstin Jane (Khyle), Matthew and Andrew Clute; Brenda Milnes, Burke (Renae), Kaitlyn Claeys and Danny Milnes; Hillary Hunziker, Jason Scott Hunziker and many nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband, Jane was preceded in death by her youngest son, Daniel Scott Milnes; her parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Methodist Church in Sumner with Rev. Mike Jager officiating. Interment will follow at Union Mound Cemetery in Sumner. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Monday, December 29th at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the Church on Tuesday. Memorials may be made in Jane’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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