Janet Stephens
Janet M. Stephens, 71, of Eau Claire passed away Thursday, March 17, 2022. She was born in Neillsville April 24, 1950, to Edward and Elnora Bowman, just minutes ahead of Jack. She graduated from Alma Center Lincoln High School in 1968. On Oct. 12, 1968, she married Dean Stephens, and together they raised their two daughters in Alma Center.
Janet spent most of her working life at Black River Country Bank, Associated Bank and the Village of Alma Center. She volunteered with many organizations, including Alma Center First Responders, Immaculate Conception Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was incredibly proud of volunteering with the elementary reading program at Merrillan Elementary School and teaching CCD at Immaculate Conception Parish for four years.
What really brought a sparkle to Janet’s eye were people, young and old, and furry friends. She had a standing “competition” to be the first to hold any new baby in the family and later taught those kids something a bit naughty, like how to check spaghetti noodles. She loved throwing a slobbery tennis ball down the hallway for a grandpuppy with one hand while making an apple pie with the other. Her joys included daily walks around the community, checking in with neighbors, taking a pan of peanut butter bars to a friend, sharing her love of baking with her granddaughter, fishing and camping with Dean and a game of cards with friends, just to name a few.
She is survived by her husband, Dean; children Karla Stephens-Felt (Kurt Felt) and Tracy Stephens (Robert Bush); granddaughter Elnora Vaughn Felt; brothers and sisters Jerry (Janet) Bowman, Jack Bowman, Jay (Renee) Bowman, June Cummings, JoAnn DeGroot and Jonnie (Nancy) Bowman; and other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death are her parents; sisters Jewel Loftus and Jill Sabin; and a brother-in-law, Dale Cummings.
On Saturday, May 14, at 11 a.m. a memorial mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Alma Center. The family welcomes donations to the Clark County Humane Society, National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin or the charity of choice as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.