Livestreaming Services – https://youtube.com/live/_d5kquyv-fs?feature=share
Janice Sharon Blake Strauss, beloved mom and grandmother, passed away on March 19, 2023, at the age of 76.
Janice is survived by her children, Roxie Heussner (Matt), Heather Larsen (Lance), and William Strauss (Brooke), her grandchildren, Halen Heussner (Madi), Reagan Russell (KJ), Halle Heussner, Crew Larsen, Case Larsen, Brody Heussner, Blake Strauss, Kali Strauss, Colt Larsen, Kinley Larsen, Wyatt Strauss, and Lenin Strauss and her sister, Tami Johnston (Coy).
She enjoyed a heavenly reunion with her parents Lloyd and Hazel Blake and her siblings Gary Blake, Richard Blake, and Yvonne Burch.
Born on September 21, 1946 in Burley, Idaho, Jan dedicated her life to serving her community, her family, and her Heavenly Father. She earned a bachelors and masters degree from Arizona State University. She joined the police force in her early 20s and quickly rose through the ranks to become the first female chief of police in the City of Mesa’s history. Her commitment to public safety and her unwavering dedication to her colleagues earned her the respect and admiration of all who worked with her. Jan’s contributions to law enforcement were numerous and significant. She was a strong advocate for community policing and worked tirelessly to build bridges between law enforcement and the communities they served. She was also a fierce proponent of diversity and worked to ensure that the police force reflected the diverse makeup of the city.
Despite her busy career, she served faithfully in her church callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She also served a church mission in the Arizona service mission.
Jan always made time for her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, who cherished spending time with her loved ones. If you ask any of her grandchildren who her favorite grandchild is, they will each be certain when they answer, “me”! She spent her evenings and weekends attending as many of their events, games, and concerts as time would allow. She spent every Sunday preparing elaborate meals for her family, always making extra so there were leftovers. Sunday evenings at Grandma’s house were a cherished time, where cousins became best friends.
We take comfort in knowing she lived a full and meaningful life, dedicated to all she held dear. Her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate all who knew her and her memory will be cherished forever. We know heaven is real and cannot wait to be together again someday. Until we meet again, we’ll take it from here. We love you most!
Please join us to celebrate the life of this amazing woman.
Viewing:
Friday, March 24, 2023
5 PM to 8 PM
Saturday, March 25, 2023
10 AM to 10:45 AM
Funeral:
Saturday, March 25, 2023
11 AM
The viewing and funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at
3580 E. Houston Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85234.
Escorted procession to follow to The City of Mesa Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Jan, you were a shining example of humanity and fairness. You will be missed and fondly remembered. Give my Chuck a hug from me! Fly high Jan!
Thoughts and prayers to the Strauss family during this difficult time. Thank you for your tutelage and leadership. Your legacy and dedication to the Mesa Police a department will forever be memorialized. But most importantly, the mark you left as a human being has influenced many. God bless you Chief and may you rest in peace.
A time to reflect and to reminisce about one very SPECIAL and NOBLE individual I was fortunate enough to call teammate, boss, mentor, confidant, role model, Chief, and most of all a TREASURED FRIEND, Jan Strauss. To the family; you ALL are in our thoughts & prayers and THANK YOU for sharing her with us over the years. We are All better people for having the opportunity to do so. XO
So sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. I knew her as a boss, leader, and friend. I pray that her family will be comforted by all of their memories.
God bless you Jan Strauss. You were a trusted colleague that I always held in great esteem. I so enjoyed working with you over the years. I have fond memories of you and am sadden at your passing. “See you on the other side.”
My compliments, appreciation and respect for a remarkable personal and professional manner over the years . In a professional career with great challenges you became a role model for so many .. Your personal achievements as a mother and grandmother became so significant in the lives of your family and friends . Your influence will endure for generations.. Rest easy now my friend.
Marcus
What angel she was already on this earth .
Heartfelt sympathy for family. Truly a remarkable woman!
Chief Strauss was always someone I respected and enjoyed working for during my time at Mesa PD. Even after she retired, anytime I saw her, she always took time to talk about family and friends. She will be missed by many people and she certainly left her mark on the police department and those she worked with. No worries Chief, we will take it from here.
To the Jan Strauss Family:
Debbie and I are so very saddened to learn of Jan’s passing. I went to school with Jan in Declo, Idaho from the first grade through our Sophomore year in High School when the Blake family moved to Arizona. We were a small community of farm kids, and everyone knew each other and enjoyed our time together growing up. We were so fortunate to have Jan join us for our Declo High School 50th class reunion in 2014.
Jan lived a wonderful life of service to her family and to her community. Her family can be very proud of Jan and everything she accomplished in life. Jan and I exchanged Christmas cards each year after our reunion when we had the opportunity to reconnect. Each year Jan sent me her card with the picture of her beautiful family. What a great group of people. It was obvious in the photo that Jan was so proud of each of her children and grandchildren.
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences as you go forward. With our very best wishes, Wayne and Debbie Fuqua, Boulder, Colorado.
A wonderful friend is no longer with us in body, but she shall always be with us in spirit and heart. It was an honor knowing you from when you started to when you retired. I always considered you a friend on earth, and now a friend in heaven. As I said when making final calls, “report to heaven, sit at the right hand of God, and await your brothers and sisters in blue when they too join you. God bless you.
So sorry to hear this. Jan was a backbone for me when I needed it. You will truly be missed. She was a very special mentor in my career with Mesa PD. Love you Jan! Condolences to your family.
Jan, dear friend and boss, the world is a much emptier place without you. But God is holding you in his arms. Your service today was absolutely beautiful. It’s easy to understand how proud you were of your family. I feel lucky to know a couple of your family nembers and proud to have worked in your police department. Rest in Peace 🙏❤️🙏
Oh Jan, Having hired on with your brother Richard, and having enjoyed working with him so closely, I was elated when you hired on with Mesa PD. You, like him, were a true friend, and watching you perform your duties so well and with such a personal touch was an inspiration. Your love of family, community, service and church, were reflected every day. Rest now, your time of work and service is done. Be at peace at last my dear friend.
It was so good to have you mention Dick. As you know he left this life early and left an empty space in his family. Jan n Dick were very close. He so admired and loved his Sis as we all do. She is a unique, caring loving person. Am so glad to know she is with her family and out of pain.
God bless and keep you well and happy, Mary. I think of both Dick and Jan often. I am so happy that they are once again together. Enjoy your family Mary. Catfish
My condolences to Family…I knew Jan when she worked in Washington DC back in the late 60’s..She was a wonderful caring person who now is enjoying her current assignment…