Jane L. Alquist

Jane L. Alquist, 70, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. She was born on December 12, 1948, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Leon and Marjorie (Mayer) Olson. Jane and her family moved to Hampton when she was a young girl. She was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. In school, she played six-on-six basketball and was a guard, and later she enjoyed coaching eighth grade girls basketball for many years. Jane graduated from Hampton High School in 1967. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1971 with a dental hygienist (RDH) degree. Jane was a member of the Iowa Dental Hygiene Association. While attending the University of Iowa, Jane met Larry Alquist at the dental college. They were united in marriage on March 10, 1972, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. Jane started her career as a registered dental hygienist in Fort Dodge, working for a dental clinic of three general dentists. For a number of years, she worked in the Hampton area for local dentists, until she joined Larry in Hampton in 1976, when he began a solo practice. Together, they practiced dentistry for over 40 years. Throughout her entire 45+-year career, Jane treated every patient with the same care and consideration. In 2016, Larry and Jane retired from dentistry. Jane continued to work for awhile with her daughter, Shelly, for Community Action in Mason City. Jane was a talented seamstress. She designed and made all of her own church clothing. She also enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crafting. She was very passionate about her crafts and made many items; no two were ever made the same way. She was as much a perfectionist in her sewing as she was in her dental career. Making gnomes was her favorite craft items. Gardening and walking were her favorite outdoor activities. In the last few years, Jane enjoyed reconnecting with her high school classmates and having monthly get-togethers at Rustic Brew in Hampton. Reconnecting with members of the Hampton Class of 1967 proved to be extremely meaningful to Jane at the time of her illness. She adored her classmates. Jane loved her Lord, loved her family, was compassionate toward others, and was a truly genuine woman. Jane was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. She had a great sense of humor and loved her cats. Jane is survived by her husband of 47 years, Larry Alquist of Hampton, daughter, Michelle "Shelly" Alquist of Hampton, brother Jim Olson (Carol Squires) of Cedar Falls, sisters-in-law Connie (Jim) Mohn of Cherokee and Shirley (Larry) Harris of Raymore, Missouri, nieces Holly Olson and husband Jacob Grell, Kendra Mohn and husband Erik Gronberg, Alicia Mohn and husband Eric Boudreau, Betsy and husband John Murray, and Kelli Harris (Taylor Grantham), nephew Chad Harris, and eight great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Marge and Leon and sister-in-law Mary Lee Olson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Jane to Leader Dogs for the Blind through the Hampton Lions Club.

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Jane L. Alquist

December 12, 1948 - June 11, 2019