Mrs. Janet Stalder, age 66, of Beaver City, Nebraska passed away with family by her side on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at her home in Beaver City after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Janet was born on October 10, 1954 in Lexington, Nebraska to parents Leroy and Betty (Billeter) Wilken. She was one of five children born to this union. Janet grew up on the family farm in rural Gosper County, Nebraska and attended school in Bertrand. She graduated from Bertrand High School with the Class of 1972. Janet went on to further her education at Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska, where she received an AAS in Secretarial Science, a BS in Comprehensive Business Education and an MS in Vocational Education with Business Emphasis. She also received a Leadership in Community College Certificate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Janet married Tilden Weber on August 10, 1985 at the Hope Lutheran Church in Smithfield, Nebraska. To this union a daughter, Kim, was born. Janet later remarried Randy Stalder in Beaver City, Nebraska on June 16, 2012.
Janet began her teaching career in Oxford, Nebraska where she taught high school business education while working on her Master's Degree. In the Fall of 1981, Janet joined the McCook Community College faculty. She started as a Secretarial Science Instructor while taking a variety of MBA courses in accounting. In 2000, Janet began teaching accounting along with various other Business Technology courses. She also servced as one of the co-advisors of Phi Beta Lambda organization.
Throughout her professional career, Janet served on a variety of committees and held numerous professional memberships to include: Association of Career & Technical Education - Business Division, 19 year member of the McCook Cordials, National Business Education Association, Nebraska State Business Education Association, and the Nebraska State Education Association. She was the recipient of the Dr. Gene Budig Outstanding Instructor Award in 2013, Outstanding Advisor at the Phi Beta Lambda Convention in 1999 and 2011, McCook Chamber Volunteer of the Year in 2003 and 2009, NSBEA Outstanding Postsecondary Instructor of the Year in 1992, the ACTEN Outstanding Vocational Teacher of the Year - Business Division in 1998, and the Outstanding Post-Secondary Career & Technical Teacaher of the Year Award in 2020. Janet was also named to the Future Business Leaders/Phi Beta Lambda National Wall of Fame in 2005.
Janet enjoyed interacting with people and spent much of her free time waitressing at Sehnert's Bakery, Coppermill, and Citta's Deli. She loved spending time with her friends and family, especially her Bailey girl, and also enjoyed quilting and crafting.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Loretta Colter; and her grandparents, Ralph (Ruby) Billeter and Walter (Emma) Wilken.
Janet is survived by her husband, Randy Stalder of Beaver City, Nebraska; her daughter, Kim (Wade) Kolbo of McCook, Nebrasak; step-daughters, Kathryn (Shane) Bock of Minden, Nebraska and AMy Bantam (Dale Comstock) of Beaver City, Nebraska; step-son, Michael (Heather) Stalder of Beaver City, Nebraska; brothers, Gary (Cindy) Wilken of Bertrand, Nebraska and Jeff (Shauna) Wilken of Smithfield, Nebraska; sister, Carol Florang of Kearney, Nebraska; grandchildren, Kaylea, Dillon, Alyssa, Bailey, and Karson Kolbo, Laurel & Bryton Stalder, Elli & Kaden Bock, and Tristan, Taren & Trinity Bantam; two great grandchildren, Jameson Berry Bantam and Adalynn Bantam; as well as numerous extended family members, lifelong friends and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, may 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Graff Events Center at McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Tusday, May 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Beaver City, Nebraska.
Memorials are suggested to McCook College Foundation, 1205 East 3rd, McCook, NE 69001 or RuralMED Hospice Care, 507 West Ave, PO Box 470, Holdrege, NE 68949.