Ermelinda “Jane” Bejarno was born October 28th, 1931, in Des Moines, IA and passed away peacefully at Ramsey Village on December 18th, 2024. Jane was born to Ysidro and Antonia Murillo. She grew up in Valley Junction and graduated from Valley High School, where she played varsity women’s basketball. Throughout her life, she loved watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Jane worked in food service at Valley High School and retired from there.
Jane was strong in her faith and loved saying the rosary. You could find a rosary in every room of her house. Family and friends often called her with special intentions, knowing she would light a candle for them.
Jane will be remembered for her great cooking. She loved preparing meals for her family, trying new recipes, making tacos for the boys’ friends, and giving a warm tortilla with butter. She also enjoyed serving Mexican dinners at her church.
Jane married the love of her life, Phillip Bejarno, on December 26th, 1953. While Phillip was serving in the US Air Force, they left Iowa for the State of Washington. When they returned to Iowa, they began raising their family, Susan (Jim) Slechta, Sandy Waddill, Phillip (Brian) Bejarno, and Paul (Amy) Bejarno.
Jane was a grandmother to her four grandchildren, Drew (Jessica) Waddill, Thomas, Abbey and Natalie Bejarno; step-grandchildren, Jacob (Caryn) Slechta and Maegan Slechta (Paul) Nawrocki; three great-grandchildren, Ryker, Wyatt and Madison Waddill, as well as three step-great-grandchildren, Josie Slechta, Jenna Slechta and Will Barlow. Jane is also survived by her brother, Mike (Mary) Murillo, and her sister, Mary Negrete, along with an extensive family.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip; parents, Ysidro and Antonia Murillo; and her siblings, Jess, Tito, Abbie Chia, Manuel and Abel Murillo.
Visitation will be held at the Merle Hay Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Rd., on Sunday, December 22nd from 5-7 p.m., followed by a rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, December 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA. The burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. The service will also be live- streamed, please go here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/1040899838