Jana Dee Teachout

Jana Dee Teachout, 59, fought cancer with grace and determination but ultimately succumbed at her home in rural Van Meter, IA, on March 5, 2025. Her husband Mike and dog Baxter were with her when she died.

Jana was born in Fontanelle, Iowa, on October 4, 1965, the daughter of Earl and Bertha (Jensen) Johnson. She was raised on the family farm with four brothers. She was baptized and went to church in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Jana played 6 on 6 basketball for Fontanelle High School, scoring 75 points in one game and going with her team to the Girls State High School Basketball tournament twice.

Jana inherited her mother’s love of horses, dogs, and cats. Growing up, she participated in trail rides, horse shows, parades and county fairs. She was runner up for the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen title, riding her horse, Lady. Horses were always part of her life, even when she lived in town.

She graduated from Simpson College with a BA in accounting. She later earned a master’s degree in organizational development from Iowa State University. Before earning her CPA, she became a licensed massage therapist. She made a career as a CPA with Jack Cashman, eventually going into business for herself.

Jana married Mike Teachout in 2006, and the two experienced a deep love based on mutual respect. They supported one another in all things – family, career, home, hobbies. Jana welcomed Mike’s daughters as her own and was delighted as grandchildren arrived.

After living 11 years in Clive, Jana and Mike built the home of their dreams on an acreage near Van Meter. They embraced rural living, enjoying an expansive view surrounded by fields of clover, with plenty of pastures for Jana’s horses: Levi, Pete and Sonny, and multiple dogs and cats. Their home became the site of “Johnson Fest,” an annual reunion Jana organized for the far-reaching Johnson family.

In addition to riding her horses, Jana enjoyed traveling, reading (when it wasn’t tax season) and spending time walking and talking with her family, friends, and dogs: Scout, Luna and Baxter. She also enjoyed making sourdough bread, keeping “Otis,” the starter alive and sharing him with friends.

When cancer entered her life, Jana chose not to just let cancer happen to her. Instead, she embarked on a quest for knowledge. She did extensive research and pursued many avenues of treatment. At the suggestion of her John Stoddard Cancer Center navigator, she took up watercolor painting and writing, including poetry. The story of her cancer journey was showcased at the 2025 Rally Against Cancer event, inspiring many.

Jana is survived by her husband Mike, stepdaughters Danielle (BJ) Moore of Van Meter and Samantha (Colby) Graeler of St. Louis, grandchildren Lucas, Wesley and Billie Ann Moore, her brothers Dennis (Wanda) Johnson of Fontanelle, Randy (Patty) Johnson of Urbandale, and Craig (Stephanie) Johnson of Indianola, brother-in-law Tim Teachout of Valley Park, MO, sister-in-law Sue (Rick) McKeone of Marietta, GA, and sister-in-law Julie Teachout of Ballwin, MO, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Dale and sister-in-law Sandra.

A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at the Van Meter Veterans Reception Center. 

Memorial gifts may be directed to Trees Forever, 80 W Eighth Ave., Marion, IA 52302.