Janet Marie Caldwell

Janet Marie Caldwell, 72, of Washington, died Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona.

Her body has been cremated in Arizona. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 9, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Troy Richmond officiating. The Mass will be live-streamed on the Beatty-Peterseim Funeral Home Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the Beatty Funeral Home with a rosary at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be designated to the Washington YMCA Swimming Pool fund or Special Olympics of Iowa.

Janet was born on September 29, 1952, in Williamsburg, IA, the daughter of Joseph George and Mary Laurine (Hanson) Lower. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1970 and received her BA in English and teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. She was united in marriage to Kevin Myles Caldwell, on May 30, 1981, at St. James Catholic Church in Washington.

She was a long-time special education teacher at Washington, Mid Prairie, and Fairfield schools until her retirement in 2008. She was a fierce defender of women’s rights and an advocate for the disabled. She was a faithful member of the St. James Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, and a volunteer at Earthly Blessings. She served on the Boards of Planned Parenthood and Women of Washington YWCA Endowment. Kevin and Janet split their time between Washington and Phoenix, AZ over the last 15 years. Janet enjoyed her beautiful flower gardens, walking and playing cards with friends, and spending time with her large and close family – especially her grandbabies who called her Grandma Wonderful.

Survivors include her husband Kevin of Washington, IA; son Tony (Whitney) Caldwell of Phoenix, AZ and daughter Michelle (fiancé Bryce Cook) Caldwell of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren Eli, Ari, and Nora; siblings, Betty (Wally) Szyszka of Amana, IA, Dr. Tom (Ceree) Lower of Ankeny, IA, Robert (Dort) Lower of Iowa City, IA, Mary Patricia (Jim Edwards) Lower of Las Vegas, NV, Helen Heisler of Glendale, AZ, Don (Theresa) Lower of North Liberty, IA, David (Mar) of Sanlúcar, Spain, Marita (Rob) Stewart of Riverside, IA, Frank Lower, Parnell, IA, and Susie of Amana, IA; brother in laws Brian (Cathy) Caldwell of Nashville, TN and Craig (Jan) Caldwell of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Dale and Donna Caldwell, brother Mike and sister Mary Katherine Lower, brother-in-law Bill Dickhaus, sister-in-law Liz Axnix, nephew Joe Lower, and great niece Romy Laurine Heisler.