Janet Morehead-Duncanson 1943 – 2023

Janet Marie Morehead-Duncanson slipped away peacefully at her home to be with her Lord on Saturday October 14, 2023.
She was born January 23, 1943 in Clinton, IA to Paul C. and Caroline G. (Timm) Paysen, during the WWII years. One of her first memories was hearing Taps being played so often in Springdale Cemetery close to her home. She never forgot that. Her family lived out in the country which taught her to love nature at a young age. She roamed the fields and forests, learning so much from nature as it all captivated her attention, and drawing her toward God.
She went to school in Clinton, IA and graduated from Clinton High School in 1961. Jan worked as a telephone operator in the era before direct dial until she decided to go to the University of Alberta in Banff, Canada pursuing an Art Degree. While in Canada she experienced all kinds of adventures in the mountains and carried those memories with her for life.
Returning to Iowa to help her parents, she worked at Clinton Corn Processing in the finance department. She met and married Owen G. Morehead on July 27, 1968. They moved to a small acreage outside Clinton and raised horses and dogs. They decided to move to Park Rapids, MN in April 1976. There they owned and operated a carpet cleaning business. Owen also worked at Zirkle MFG, until they built and ran Morehead MFG where they offered repairs, welding, and made and sold planting equipment until Owen died on February 18, 1988. Janet then sold the business and she worked at Citizens National Bank.
On November 21, 1992, Jan met a marine, Kenneth C. Duncanson at Faith Baptist Church where she was a member. They were married and moved to St. Charles where they lived and worked until they moved back to Park Rapids in 2002. Ken and Jan loved their Lord Jesus Christ and together attended and served Him at Faith Baptist Church.
Ken and Janet loved adventure and took many trips to Alaska. Since Ken was a pilot and aircraft mechanic they were able to serve the Lord through many short term mission trips. They went to Peru for Wycliffe Bible Translators and flew down to the Headwaters of the Amazon River in a float plane. They worked with JAARS Aviation Ministry in the Carolinas, Dallas, Chicago and Arizona among other locations. Some of their best adventures were in Alaska. They flew many times in the bush. Even flew onto a glacier on Mt. Denali. A trip she will never forget! Jan loved the wilderness and beauty of God’s creation. Being that Alaska was a “Wild Place” she had always wanted to go and was so thankful for ALL the opportunities. She loved the outdoors, biking, hiking, fishing and feeding her backyard animals. Ken died unexpectedly on Nov 10, 2020 and their great adventures were over. Janet lost her eyesight, her freedom and Ken almost within two years.
Jan loved her family. Surviving her are two sisters: Natalie Heiar of Charlotte, IA and Kathleen Bailey of Moline, IL; sisters-in-law: Jamie (Jack) Thoreson, Kay (Robert) Maynard; brothers-in-law: Wayne Heiar, David Bailey; as well as a niece; nephews; and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and a nephew, Jim Heiar.
Janet loved her Lord Jesus Christ and her faith kept her through all the pains and pleasures of life. He Lives Still!
A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Arrangements by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids and Nevis.10-25