Tana Larene Jones was born October 11, 1943, and passed away in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico on August 24, 2023.
Tana was preceded in death by her father and mother Bernard (Bud) and Grace Dow who lived in Mondamin and then Logan. In Logan, Bud owned and managed the Ford car dealership. Grace owned and managed the Chief Cafe, a popular hometown, three-meals-a-day restaurant. Tana was also preceded in death by older brother Gayle Dow and sister Carolyn Thomas. Tana is survived by husband Donn Jones of Des Moines, Iowa, daughter Susan Lynn Lewis (Roger) and son Noah of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, daughter Shelly Lorraine Lizardi and her son and daughter Lorenzo and Tessa of Pasadena, California and son Neal Allen Jones (Angelica) and their daughter Lilah of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Tana was raised and attended elementary school in Mondamin and graduated from high school in Logan after moving with her family while in elementary school. She was active in vocal music and modern dance.
Tana married Donn Jones in November of 1962 and joined him as he completed his college education at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. While there Susan Lynn was born in October of 1963 in Ames and Shelly Lorraine in March of 1965 in Iowa City.
After moving to Omaha, Nebr. as Donn pursued his career, Tana was a devoted mother and homemaker. In June of 1969 Neal Allen was born. An involved mother, Tana chauffeured her children and typically up to half a dozen others to practices and events, served as an exceptionally talented Girls Scout Leader and introduced entertaining games and activities during weekend-long trips to swimming competitions. Her home holiday decorations and costumes for the children were always creative and beautiful. As a seamstress she crafted many of the kids’ outfits and even took on the challenge of a Prom dress that remained tucked away in her cedar closet until downsizing dictated a new home. Her homecooked meals continue to serve as inspiration for all three children who are creative cooks. Tana’s homes were always filled with attractive plantings and each Spring she set out planters adding color to decks and patios. She took great pride in creating a beautiful home inside and out.
In addition to raising three children who were active with diverse interests, Tana was an active tennis player. Later after the children moved on from their educations, she joined Donn in their shared interest in raising and showing Arabian horses. Later she concentrated on ballroom dancing joining an active group who shared her interest. She traveled with the group and participated in competitions at locations all over the United States.
Family travel was a highlight while the children were at home. This included annual week-long visits to Lake Okoboji in northwest Iowa. Then snow skiing in Colorado. Tana became an accomplished blue-slope skier starting with no related experience, but guided by an excellent ski-instructor at Breckenridge, Colo. After winter visits to colder venues the family vacationed at the same resort in Maui, Hawaii for four visits. Packing included staples for home-cooked meals every other night.
In 2015 Tana was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Her symptoms escalated rapidly over the next several months leaving her dependent on others for daily support. Initially she remained at home with daily nursing care. In early 2017 she moved to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico near Neal, and his family. She was returning to an area familiar to her since she had spent 4 to 6 weeks each winter visiting Neal and his family. When she returned in 2017, she lived in her own casita in a small, gated community of English-speaking families with full time nursing care.
Her son Neal managed the property and the support of three nurses who shared a 24/7 schedule. She was surrounded by family support and exceptional nursing care and remained in her home until passing peacefully.
A Memorial, Celebration of Life service is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 18 in Omaha. The date, time and location will be confirmed in an update shortly before.
