Jana Kay Kerkhoff

Jana Kay Kerkhoff, 71, of Freeport, IL, passed away Monday October 6, 2025 in her home. She was born June 20, 1954 in Evanston, IL, to Dr. Robert and Donna (Kriz) Klockgeter. On June 26, 1976 she married Rodger Kerkhoff at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport, IL. Jana’s passion was teaching. She was an elementary school teacher for 32 years, starting her career at Taylor Park Elementary School and spending the majority of her career teaching third grade at Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School. Through her teaching she was a member of the Retired Teachers Union. She was also a past member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Family was most important to Jana and she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Rodger of Freeport, IL; two children, daughter Kelli (Michael) Hall of Monroe, WI, and their two children Emma and Andrew, and son Matthew (Laura) Kerkhoff of Freeport, IL, and their two children Blakeley and Bryce; sister Gina (William) Gaines of Aston, PA; sister-in-law Gale Kerkhoff (Tom Pelech) of German Valley, IL; niece Nicole (Sam) Yurchuk; and three nephews Robert (Alissa) Gaines, Ryan Kerkhoff, and Jacob (Caroline) Kerkhoff.

Preceding Jana in death are her parents, father and mother-in-law Fred and Eileen Kerkhoff; and brother-in-law Ronald Kerkhoff.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday October 13, 2025 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, IL, Rev. Dr. Willis Schwichtenberg officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. There will also be a visitation Sunday October 12, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 P.M. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. Cremation rites have been accorded following the services. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Jana’s memory.