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Janet Lee Dean, 76, of Felch, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011.

She was born Nov. 17, 1934, in Ralph, daughter of the late Helmer and Kristina (Paulic) Edberg. She lived in Ralph and Calumet Mine until the age of 5 when the family moved to Buchanan.

Janet returned to the Felch area in 1941 when her parents purchased the Rian Store, which became "Helmer's IGA." She attended the Felch High School where she participated in many school activities and graduated in 1952. Janet loved to dance and enjoyed the "Teenage Club" dances held at the Metropolitan Hall. After graduation, she went to work at the First National Bank in Iron Mountain.

Janet married Kenneth H. Dean, son of the late B. Howard and Myrtle "Bonnie" (Lantz) Dean, grandson of the late Edward and Anna (Dixon) Lantz, on Dec. 26, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Metropolitan. They resided in the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area where their two children were born.

In 1959, they moved to Norwalk, Calif., where Ken worked building patios and also for Armstrong Flooring. They made many lifelong friends before moving back to the Felch area for a short time in 1963, and then to Marquette where Ken attended NMU, graduating in 1968. During their time in Marquette, Janet worked at the First National Bank to help put Ken through school. She was also very active at the Messiah Lutheran Church and loved singing in the choir as well as helping as a part of the "Ladies Aide."

She enjoyed "Koffeeklotching," playing cards with friends, skiing, knitting, crocheting, crafts, attending her children's school functions and much more. In 1969, the family moved to Sault Ste. Marie where Ken was employed by the Sault Area Schools. Janet Lee also went to work for the same school system as a clerk at the junior high, then going to the high school and eventually the administration building as secretary to the director of special education, a position she held until leaving the Soo. While there, she was active in her church, many school functions, "Married People's Dance Club," sports events, playing cards and just plain visiting with friends.

While their children were growing up, they made it a priority to see as much of the U.S. as possible. They took many trips across the country and when the grandchildren came along, they did it all over again, having a wonderful time! The Deans moved back to the Felch area in 1979 when Ken accepted a job with the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District (DIISD). They had previously purchased the Paulic Farm (where not only Janet Lee was born but also her mother) and they lived there for the next 25 years. Janet Lee also went to work for the DIISD, where she was a bus driver for the preschool program for two years, then became a bus-aide and classroom aide for the special education SMI/SXI program. Eventually she became the bus driver/classroom aide, a position she held for eight years and said "it was the best job I ever had." "Those children taught me what love is all about." Janet retired in 1996.

She loved volunteering and did so at the Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp for about 50 years, doing whatever she could to help including being a board member. She attended the women's retreats held there for more than 25 years. She was very active in her church, Zion Lutheran of Metropolitan, and served in many capacities including the choir, president of the Ladies Aide many times over the years, church secretary, church council member, Stewardship Committee member, worship and music programs, quilting, cleaning bees, visitation, communion homecare giver, took care of getting greeters, communion assistant and communion usher, and whatever else that might come up where she could be of help. She was also on the ELCA's Synodical Women's Board for many years and loved ringing the bell for the Salvation Army as long as she was able.

Janet and Ken also loved cruising and did so many times with family and friends including Ken's step-dad, Harold "Rocky" Rasmmussen. Janet and Ken sold the farm in Ralph to their boys, Bill Dean and Ron Taipalus in 2007 and moved back to Felch where they currently reside.

Janet leaves her husband of 57 years, Ken; children, Krisanne (David) Dennocenzo of Hardwood, William Dean of Iron Mountain, and Ron Taipalus of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, Dean and Nikki Dennocenzo of Felch, Dylan and Madeline Dennocenzo of Felch, Brandi Dean, and Lindsey Mashak of Iron Mountain; great-grandchildren, Ava Lee and Parker Kenneth Dennocenzo of Felch and Taylor Dennocenzo of Felch; a brother, Helmer (Johney) Edberg; a sister, Delores (Tom) Burton; nieces, Ann and Terri Lynn; nephews, Richard and Dave; special friends, Sharon Sheppard from the Soo and Kathy Clemo of Ralph; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Metropolitan.

Funeral services will follow Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church. Pastor Joel Smeby will officiate.

Janet will be buried on the Paulic/Dean farm in Ralph joining many family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church.

Condolences to the family of Janet Dean may be expressed online at ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.