CHARLES CITY — Janet Lea “Jan” McGovern, 81, of Charles City, a longtime Howard County supervisor whose political career included a notable Democratic National Convention vote and two decades of service to Northern Iowa residents, died Thursday, November 12, 2026, at her home after living with cancer.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville.
Born February 26, 1945, in Burbank, California, Janet was the daughter of Milo and Marjorie (Eckenrod) Merritt. When she was two years old, her family moved to a farm near Osage, Iowa, beginning her lifelong connection to Northern Iowa.
She attended school in Osage through eighth grade. After the family farm moved into the Riceville district, she started high school in Riceville, where a fresh start helped her build confidence and friendships.
Politics and public affairs were familiar subjects in the Merritt household. Her parents followed current events closely, and discussions around the dinner table helped shape Janet’s interest in government.
Her father later served in the Iowa Senate, providing another example of public service within the family.
In January 1964, Janet married Terry McGovern, beginning a partnership built on conversation, shared convictions and family.
The couple could spend hours discussing almost anything, including faith, politics and the issues affecting their community.
They welcomed five children and spent their early married years trying to establish themselves in farming. During one particularly unsettled period, the family moved seven times in five years before making Riceville their home in 1971.
As she raised her children, Janet became increasingly active in political and community affairs.
During the early 1970s, she was elected to the Third District Congressional Democratic Central Committee, eventually serving as vice chair and helping political candidates organize their campaigns.
Her involvement led to an appointment by U.S. Senators Dick Clark and John Culver to Iowa’s first Federal Judicial Commission.
Although Janet had not earned a college degree, she discovered that her judgment and preparation allowed her to contribute alongside experienced attorneys serving on the commission.
One of the more remarkable moments of her political life came during the 1976 Democratic National Convention.
Janet attended as an Iowa delegate pledged to Arizona Congressman Morris “Mo” Udall, who was competing with Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination.
When party leaders encouraged Iowa delegates to support Carter, Janet remained committed to Udall.
According to her family’s account, she became the only Iowa delegate to cast a first-ballot vote for Udall, choosing to honor her original commitment rather than follow pressure to change her vote.
That independence would remain a recognizable quality throughout her years in public office.
Outside politics, Janet worked in several occupations, including at a livestock sale barn, a veterinarian’s office and a preschool, where she served as co-director. She also worked as a teacher’s aide.
Her community involvement extended into schools and church activities. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville and served two terms on the Riceville Community School Board during the 1980s, including two years as board president.
The experience introduced her to the challenges of public budgeting, contract negotiations and making decisions that affected families throughout the community.
In 1998, with her five children grown, Janet decided to pursue a longtime ambition: serving on the Howard County Board of Supervisors.
She entered the Democratic primary against three opponents and emerged victorious before defeating the Republican incumbent in November.
It was the beginning of a 20-year career representing western Howard County.
Janet subsequently won four more elections and served five terms on the Board of Supervisors, establishing herself as a familiar figure in county government.
She approached the position with a belief that elected officials should represent the people who entrusted them with public office, regardless of political affiliation.
Her family’s remembrance describes her as someone determined to make decisions based on what she believed was right rather than what would benefit a political party.
Among the accomplishments she valued most was Howard County’s approach to taxing wind energy development.
She was particularly proud of the county’s wind energy tax assessment, which her family credited with helping reduce property tax levies and improve the county’s financial position during difficult budget years.
After two decades in office, Janet decided not to seek a sixth term.
She believed the residents of Howard County deserved a representative with the same enthusiasm for public service that she had brought to the position when first elected.
In 2019, Janet and Terry moved to Charles City, where they continued their life together after her retirement from county government.
Despite her considerable experience in politics, Janet measured her life by something more personal than elections or public accomplishments.
She believed in working hard, treating people with kindness and offering help to those facing difficult circumstances.
Those principles came from her parents and remained important throughout her life.
Janet understood that hardship was part of life, but she also recognized that many people faced struggles greater than her own. She considered herself fortunate and believed that gratitude should be accompanied by compassion for others.
During her final months, she spoke openly with her family about death, expressing that she was at peace and ready for what lay ahead.
When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Janet offered a simple reflection on the principles that guided her personal life and public career.
“I tried to do what’s right,” she said.
Janet is survived by her husband, Terry McGovern of Charles City; their five children, Kelly (Barb) McGovern of Chicago, Illinois, Jay McGovern of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Susan McGovern of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Jon (Lisa) McGovern of Dubuque, Iowa, and Teresa (Chris) McGovern of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and her sister, Phyllis, of Des Moines.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Milo and Marjorie Merritt, and her brother, Bruce.
For those who knew her through county government, politics, schools, church or family, Janet leaves a legacy of determination, independence and service.
Her 20 years as a Howard County supervisor marked an important chapter in her life, but the principles behind that service reached much further — into the classroom, her family, the communities she called home and the lives of people she worked to help.
Her story is one of a woman who found her voice, stood by her convictions and spent much of her life trying to make a positive difference for others.
Family and friends may share condolences and find additional service information through Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home’s obituary for Janet L. McGovern.
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