Janet Dody Sutherland

Janet Dody Sutherland

Janet Dody Sutherland lived life with the singular goal of making the world a better place. She loved to learn and to teach, and she spent her life sharing those passions with her family and the students and friends who meant so much to her.

Janet was born and raised in Fort Scott, Kan., but after she and her husband Jim were recruited in 1962 to teach in Council Bluffs, this became her corner of the world to change. She paused her teaching career to raise daughters Connie and Brenda and to pursue other passions. She championed local chapters of the League of Women Voters, Sister Cities, and Great Decisions; she earned Master Gardener certification; she taught ESL in several venues; and she passionately advocated for peaceful solutions to global challenges.

Jan loved Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses and committed countless hours to Democratic presidential candidates, attending and hosting innumerable candidate events. Although she narrowly lost her bid to become southwest Iowa’s State Representative in 1986, her commitment to provide a voice for people in need never wavered.

After completing her Bachelor and Masters degrees, Jan found her voice in writing. Her poetry and essays were published in a variety of journals and anthologies.

She adored her grandchildren, Spencer and Alexis, and took an active role to ensure they experienced the beauty of the world around them, while understanding their obligation to make it a better place for others.

Jan’s life is celebrated by her husband of 56 years, James Sutherland, her daughters and their husbands, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, extended family and the many, many people whose lives were touched by Jan’s commitment to change the world.

Jan’s ability to communicate was stolen by Alzheimer’s disease, but her passion and sense of humor never faltered. She passed away on Monday, August 14. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, so that others will never lose their voice. Memorials can also be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel, 545 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs, IA.