Jean Stankey

Dorothy "Jean" Stankey, 95 year old resident of Janesville, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Janesville Nursing Home.
Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM on Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Janesville United Methodist Church with Rev. Kathy King officiating. Interment will be in the Janesville Cemetery. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at the church on Monday. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice and Janesville United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are with Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville.
www.janesvillefuneral.com
Dorothy Jean was born on April 28, 1922, to William and "Veda" Schafer, but she will be forever known as Jean, Jeanie Girl, Grandma Green Jeans, and the infamous Grandma Jean. Jean spent a few years of her early childhood with her parents and siblings in Forest City, Iowa. The family later moved to Janesville, Minnesota and made it their lifelong home. Jean often told the story that she would be a few years older, but the years she lived in Iowa didnt count.
Jean married Herbert Martin Stankey on September 13, 1941. They had four children together and ran Stankey Livestock in Smiths Mill until Herbs death in 1995, they shared 53 years of marriage.
Jean had a long-time career at Brown Printing in Waseca and made many friends along the way. She enjoyed keeping in touch and going on outings with the Brown Printing Quarter Century Club long after she retired.
Jean was one of a kind. To know her was to love her, which is why she became Grandma Jean to many. She made the best pie crust imaginable, even offering baking tips to the staff at Bakers Square on occasion! She loved to cook for everyone, and her Christmas cookies were the best. Jean crocheted many masterpieces for her family and friends and could play the piano like no other. She was an avid reader, and loved watching all the classic musicals, but to keep things interesting; Pretty Woman was her all-time favorite movie.
Jean loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all her heart. She was our biggest fan at whatever we were doing. She likely sold more Girl Scout cookies than any scout in history, and she rarely missed a sporting event or program for her grandkids.
Jean loved traveling around the United States, or just around the region for a trip to one of the casinos. She had a sparkle in her eyes and a love for life. She drove too fast, and forever ruined the expression, "driving like a grandma." She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and spending time with her family and friends. She could talk for hours and would listen for even longer.
Jean was a dedicated member of the Janesville United Methodist Church and had a strong faith in God. She instilled her values in her family and taught us about patience and giving. Even when she had little to nothing to give, she continued to give her all. While at the nursing home, she would save up her weekly BINGO winnings to give to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jean has touched so many lives, and things just wont be the same here without her. Thankfully, she shared her stories and her heart with all of us and will live on through us. Grandma Jean may have had some tiny shoes, but no one will ever be able to fill them. We love her and will miss her forever, yet we are relieved she has found peace again.
We want to offer special thanks to her loving caregivers and friends at the Janesville Nursing Home, and Hospice. You are also her family, and we are so grateful for all of you.
Jean is survived by her children: Bob (Connie) Stankey, Cheri (Bud) Bluhm, Derm (Patty) Stankey, and Tim (Vikki) Stankey; grandchildren: Jill (Corey) Stankey, Justin Stankey, Ben, Brandon and Jeremy Bluhm, Deb (Dan) Malecha, Susie (Troy) Collins, Janel (Mike) Schmidt, Kevin (Rhoda) Schmidt, Logan (Brandon) Stankey, and Kaitlin Stankey; great grandchildren: Emma Bluhm, Jordan and Jarek Schendel, Cooper and Brooke Malecha, Hunter Thompson, Sawyer Collins, and Gabe, Colton and Hayley Muntean; sister, Betty (Del) Goebel; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother and two sisters; two brother-in-laws, and her beloved dog Cassie.