Janet Marie Stevens

Janet Marie Stevens, 65, passed away after her long, courageous battle of nine years with breast cancer on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at her home in Chippewa Falls.

Born on Oct. 26, 1948, in Cass Lake, Minn., she was the first of five children born to Mary Jane (Rask) and Sam Long. The family eventually settled in Villa Park, Ill., where Jan graduated from Willowbrook High School in 1966 and then attended Southern Illinois University.

She married Richard Stevens in November of 1987 and combined two large, beautiful families when they settled in Chippewa Falls. Jan enjoyed entertaining and their home was often filled with family members and friends. The two large families allowed for numerous opportunities to travel to various family events, from school plays to sporting events, where Jan could put her ability to impact all people she touched with her loving and caring personality. Beyond family, Jan made many friends over the years in Chippewa Falls, including her quilting and sewing group that provided her many hours of enjoyment.

A few years later, Jan and Rich started to escape the cold Wisconsin winters and settled into the Miles Grant Country Club in Stuart, Fla. during the winter months. This opened up new adventures and, as always, brought in an entire new group of friends. Jan began to take up and excel in sporting activities she had not tried earlier in life; tennis and golf became daily activities for her and Rich. Jan's defining strength was her giving spirit and kind heart. All she met experienced that kindness and as a testament to her friendship, many of her friends formed a team called Jan's Fans and walked in the 2006 Cure for Cancer in Stuart.

Jan enjoyed traveling with her loving husband; she visited many places including Ireland, Mexico, Canada, London and numerous other locations via cruise ship. Many of these trips were with family and friends which have allowed for a lifetime of memories which were always talked about over the years.

Jan touched the lives of so many people; beloved wife to Richard Stevens; mother to Mark (Kimberly) of Surprise, Ariz., and Matthew (Melissa) Mitchell of Eau Claire; sister to Sandy (Rick) Hall of Madison, Ala., Dawn (Tom) Tiemeier of New Lebanon, Ohio, Mark (Laura) Long of Wayne, Ill. and Lisa Lesniak of Lake Barrington, Ill.; grandmother to many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren; aunt to many nieces and nephews and true friend to so many people.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Mary Jane Long.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at St. Charles Church in Chippewa Falls. Rev. William P. Felix will be celebrant of the funeral Mass. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 and until 10 a.m. Thursday at the Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls. The ladies of St. Charles will recite the rosary at 4 p.m. and there will be a Christian vigil service at 7 p.m. both on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Joseph's Hospice.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.horanfuneralhome.com.