Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Barbara Ann Shepard
1955 - 2022
Barbara Ann Shepard
1955 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
Barbara Shepard Obituary
Barbara Ann (Jansen) Shepard, 67, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend died unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 29 at her Lansing home.
A dedicated Michigan State University alumna and fan, Barb was a retired Potterville special education teacher and teacher consultant. She was born on Jan. 19, 1955, in Muskegon, MI to Ronald and Nicoletta (Ganga) Jansen. They preceded her in death.
She leaves behind her husband Tom of 45 years, daughters Stephanie (Donald Hoag III) Shepard and Michelle (Autry) Inman, grandchildren Nash and Dylan Inman and Maddyson and Donald Hoag IV of Lansing and her mother-in-law, Maxine Shepard of Grand Ledge. Her father-in-law, Lowell Shepard, brother-in-law, Kenneth Kolmodin and niece, Ashley Adan preceded her in death.
She also is survived by her twin brother, Ronald (Shari) Jansen Jr. of Sarasota and her sister, Linda Jansen Kolmodin of Albion. Leaving behind to cherish her memory are her sister-in-law Nancy (Al) Adan and brother-in-law, Robert (Bonnie) Shepard. She also is survived by her nieces, Karen (Michael) MacDonell of Northville and Emily (Anthony) Romeo of Marquette; nephews, Ryan (Christa) Shepard of Midland, Andrew (Lindsey) Adan of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jamie Rashkin of Tampa FL, Jared (Alana) Rashkin of Clearwater FL and Ronald Jansen III of Ashville, NC. She also leaves behind great nieces Nicoletta Romeo, Emma MacDonell,
Avery and Reese Shepard and great-nephews Joseph Romeo, Connor MacDonell and Graham Shepard.
Known for her amazing “love-filled” chocolate chip cookies, Barb’s generosity and caring knew no bounds when it came to family and friends. Graduating from North Muskegon High School in 1973, Barb was a born teacher, starting her career in Cedar Lake, IN after graduation from MSU in 1977 with a teaching degree in home economics. In 1994 she changed teaching focus and earned a master’s degree in special education from MSU. She taught at Potterville schools where she was the high school student council advisor and a class advisor. After 20 years, “Mama Shep” retired after helping so many grateful students who then became her forever friends.
A celebration of Barb’s life will take place, Saturday, November 5, 2022, 10:00 AM at the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, Delta Chapel, 6020 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917 with Chaplain Steve Ezop officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends, Friday, November 4, 2022, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Potterville Public Schools Lunch Fund at 425 E. Main St., Potterville, MI 48876 in memory of Barbara.
The family encourages family and friends to wear Spartan gear to honor Barb’s love of MSU!
Pat Schneider-Miller
November 10, 2022
Barb was a very special person who made everyone around her feel welcomed and loved. I'm so sorry Tom, Stephanie, Michelle and the rest of your family for your enormous loss of someone so very special to all of you.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” A favorite saying of mine. Know that Barb left her footprint on my heart and on the hearts of many.
Mike Miller
November 10, 2022
I am so sorry to hear this. Mrs. Shepard was always so kind to me and had a personality and energy that was infectious and drew you in. I always felt her love when I was with her and her family and know that she will be hugely missed. Stephanie, Tom, and Michelle I am so sorry for your loss. GO GREEN!!!
Steve Patoprsty
November 7, 2022
Dear family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May the love of friends and family carry you through these sad times.
Steve Patoprsty & family
(a friend of Barb & Ron's during high school)
Kevin Cluley
November 4, 2022
Barb will be missed by everyone. I feel blessed to have seen her recently. I have a lot of fond memories growing up with Barb around.
Sorry for your loss. Best wishes and prayers for the family.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Janelle Hemingway
November 4, 2022
Dear Tom, Stephanie & Michelle,
Our hearts are aching for you. We are wishing strength and peace for each of you as you walk through this sad time together - but also we hope you can smile as you reflect on all the the times you shared together. What a beautiful and tight knit family you are. We love you all. God Bless. Jacobs, Hemingways & Erskines
Judi McIntyre
November 3, 2022
I knew the Jansen family for many years. Barb's father, Ron, was a teacher of mine and her mother sang in the choir at church with my mother. And...I had Barb as a student in fourth grade. I was fortunate to watch the Jansen children grow up, graduate and move on to greatness. My heart is sad as I hear of Barb's death. Do know she lives on through many others with her beautiful spirit. Go Green!!! Blessings to all of you as you grieve, as you share, as you move on with Barb's love inside of you. (Judi Erickson Jullie McIntyre)
Nancy Szymanski
November 2, 2022
All I can remember are all the fun times growing up with "Barbie" in our North Muskegon neighborhood.
I am sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.
Brooke Abbey
November 2, 2022
Stephanie and Michelle,
My heart aches for both of you. I can’t imagine the pain and heartache both of you are experiencing. I pray for you and your families. May God wrap his arms around you in your times of need and hope that you both will lean on each other when it’s just too much.
In my thoughts and sending my love,
Lynn Patrick
November 2, 2022
Dear Tom, Stephanie, Michelle, Ron and Linda,
I'm so sorry to hear of Barb's passing. She was one of my precious friends in middle school and high school. We always giggled and had such fun together. She had so many fun stories to tell, especially stories after band camp. She loved being a cheerleader. We would have so much fun practicing our cheers together. Even though life took us away from each other, my memories have stood strong. I'll always love my friend Barb. Rest in peace. Hugs! ❤
Janelle GibsonGibson
November 2, 2022
Mom,
As I sit here with in Detroit headed to Lansing at loss on what to say or do your all I can think about. How am I going to get off this plane and not walk into your arms hearing you say welcome home sweetie. How am I going to teach my girls to make your cookies when I can’t even make them myself. The love you gave to me still is and always will be so unconditional. You accepted me into your family from day one, the late nights you waited up for me to get home from work so you could get the red sauce out of my shirt so it wouldn’t stain, the random phone calls like last week when I let my meat sit to long and you said aw it’s not worth getting sick throw it out. The football and basketball games in my 20’s are memories that will live on forever in my heart. Eddie and the girls love you just as much as I do. And I know you loved them just as much. You were ALWAYS there for any of us. Thank you for being my mom for being Grammy to my girls. For loving them and supporting whatever crazy adventure they were on. I’m still in sooo much shock that your gone. I’m SO thankful that our last words were I love you. Life won’t be the same but I promise that you will forever and always be in my heart and our memories will live on to make me smile once I can stop crying. Mom I love you, I miss you greatly and until I see you again I know that you will be watching over us. Ps thanks for the Starbucks right outside my gate I really needed some coffee.
Brenda & Ken Steele
November 2, 2022
Tom, Stephanie & Michelle,
We were shocked and saddened by Barb's sudden passing. She was such big part of our lives when we were raising our kids and she always found the lighter, fun side of life. Our heartfelt condolences to you for your huge loss and wishing you all comfort and peace in your memories of her as you work through that loss. We are holding you all in our thoughts and prayers and wish we could be there to celebrate her life's contributions, but we won't be returning to Michigan until Sunday night. Take care & we hope to connect with you in the near future. Love & hugs to you all.
Olivia Cole
November 2, 2022
Mrs. Shepard was my class advisor from my freshman to senior year in high school. What an impact she made to the students! She wasn’t just a teacher, she was a friend. She is a big part of many of my great high school memories.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time. She will be dearly missed. ❤
Marylou Budreau
November 2, 2022
So blessed to have known Barb! She was another mother to our kids and a special friend to us. She will be missed! Go Green!
Roberta Fleischmann
November 1, 2022
I was saddened and dismayed to hear about Barb’s sudden passing. May your memories of her help ease the pain and provide you with some comfort during these difficult times. She will be missed by all who ever knew her. I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my deepest condolences.
Cindy LaFave
November 1, 2022
Barb was a rock and also a soft place to fall. She helped and shared her love and kindness with so many. I will be forever grateful for knowing her and will miss her warm generous hugs.
Martha (Miller) OFLAHERTY
November 1, 2022
Very sorry for your loss Tom.
Sandi Nelson
November 1, 2022
I hired Barb while I was the special education director at Potterville. That decision turned out to be one of the best career decisions I made in 20 years ❤ She was an amazing teacher and Co-worker. And fortunately, she became one of my dearest friends. I will miss her terribly. Prayers to your family; you’ve lost a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her family, friends, and students have been blessed to have known and loved her.
November 1, 2022
I was so sad to hear of Barb’s passing. I’m glad I had the chance to talk to her a few weeks ago. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person. Good Family
Robert Ganga
November 1, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
For someone who was never even my actual teacher, she left an everlasting imprint on my heart, life and always willing to listen, give honest and genuine truths. I´m forever blessed to have had her in my life.
Mandy Caterino
November 1, 2022
Grateful for the lasting guidance, hugs, advice and laughs Mama Shep continued to give us even as adults.
Mandy Caterino
November 1, 2022
Mandy Caterino
November 1, 2022
Grateful
Heidi Sheehan
November 1, 2022
Thinking of all of you at this surreal time of loss & memory. No adequate words can cover my 60+ years of memories with Barb beginning in Mrs. Vento’s 1st grade class, through high school, college, early marriage, parenthood, cheering at our girls’ soccer games, our crossing career paths. Wow, so many touchstones. Here’s to a vibrant, joyful, inclusive, loving woman who gave so much to everyone she encountered. May those she influenced continue to pay it forward.
Prayers & Love to Tom, Stephanie, Michelle, Ron, Linda and all of her extended family.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
6301 W. St Joe Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917
Make a Donation
in Barbara Shepard's name
How to support Barbara's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Barbara Shepard's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
