Jan Rice Benes

With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to a remarkable woman whose vibrant spirit illuminated the lives of all who knew her. Jan Benes, beloved wife, cherished mother, grandmother,  devoted aunt, and treasured friend,  passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2024, at 91. She was visiting family in Pittsburgh, Pa and resided at The Lakes of Dunedin, located in Dunedin, Florida.

Born in Keokuk and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan Benes touched countless hearts throughout her life's journey. Her magnetic personality and zest for life brought joy and excitement to family gatherings and social events alike. Whether hosting lively cocktail parties, engaging in boating adventure and RV travels around the country, or gracing the bowling alley with her infectious laughter, she radiated warmth and charisma wherever she went. And she was  always ready to play a bridge hand.

You could  count on her sharing  some of the craziest, almost unbelievable stories. And finally, what seemed to be passed down from her mom and running in the family, she was an avid baseball fan. An entrepreneur and entertainer at heart, Jan Benes was known for her diverse interests and talents.

From her days as an actress at the community theatre to her ownership of movie theaters and the iconic STRIP Joint on Broadway St. (where she stripped furniture with flair), she left an indelible mark on her community.

A devout Catholic and Christian, Jan Benes found solace in her faith and shared her kindness and empathy with all she encountered. Her impeccable sense of style, always fashionably dressed with perfectly coiffed hair and manicured nails, reflected her meticulous attention to detail and love for elegance but perhaps Jan Benes's greatest joy was found in the company of family and friends. Whether engaging in spirited games of Trivia, Scrabble, or Yahtzee, or simply relishing in the magic of classic movies, she reveled in the camaraderie of those she held dear.

Jan Benes leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter, forever cherished by her late husband, John Benes, her daughter, Patricia Rice, and son Bryan Rice, grandson (Richard Rice) and great grandkids( RJ and Brianna), nieces and nephews as well as a multitude of friends spanning from Plum Borough, PA, to Palm Harbor and Dunedin, Florida, and Des Moines, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husbands, John Benes and Frank Rice Sr., her son Frankie Rice, and her parents and siblings and many other loved ones.

Though she may be gone from our sight, Jan Benes's radiant spirit will live on in the countless memories she created and the lives she touched. May she find eternal peace in the loving embrace Jesus and of her loved ones who have gone before her.