Mary Jane Mrak ("Jane") passed away at home on October 2, following a long illness. Born August 12, 1928 to Paul and Beulah Rains, Jane grew up in East Gary, Indiana and served as editor of her high school newspaper and was Valedictorian of her class. She was the first in her family to obtain a college degree, earning a Masters of Education from Ball State. In 1955 she was admitted to the national honorary professional society for business educators, Delta Pi Epsilon. She was one of the first women members of the education professional association, Phi Delta Kappa.

Jane taught business courses at Portage High School until her retirement in 1986. For several years, she served as the Business Department Head. In addition to teaching business, Jane became a businesswoman, owning and managing Mrak's One-Stop Printing with her husband, Joseph Mrak, from 1978 to 1995. During those years, Jane participated in the Portage Chamber of Commerce.

Jane was a founding member of Nativity Parish from the days that it was only a "drive-in" parish-in-a-trailer parked at the Portage Mall parking lot. She was also a founding member of the Portage Historical Society, serving on the board and as treasurer. Jane lived in Portage since 1952 before it was incorporated as a town.

Jane and Joe celebrated their 64th anniversary last June. They reared five children: Christine, Valerie, Joseph II, Paul and Michael. The family enjoyed "seeing America", each August when they went camping and boating in different parts of the country.

In addition to her children and husband, Jane is survived by her brother Paul Richard Rains, by her sisters Pauline Phillippe and Ruth Nelson; by her sons/daughters-in-law Richard, Michael and Kimberly; by her 10 grandchildren Maritza, Joseph III, Elia, David, Eva, Stephen, Nora, Sydney, Mia and Kale; and by her 4 great-grandchildren: Dominic, Ava, Zachary and Anna. Jane was pre-deceased by her parents and sisters Marilyn Kissinger and Maxine McLean.

Visitation is at Rees Olson Chapel in Portage on Friday, October 5, 2012 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm with the Rosary being said at 3:30pm. Funeral mass will be held at Nativity Parish on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 10:00am followed by a burial service at Calvary Cemetery, Portage. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made in Jane's honor to the Portage Historical Society or the Porter County Visiting Nurses Association. Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 219-762-3013 in charge of arrangements.