Surrounded by family and friends, Janice Ann Stewart, died peacefully at home on December 1st, 2021. Jan, a proud Swede, was born to Oscar and Ina Westerlund on August 8, 1935 in Oak Park, Illinois. Her little sister, and best friend, Lynne Gehrke completed their family 12 years later. Jan attended Austin High School, Augustana Nursing School, and College of St. Francis. She had a fulfilling nursing career that started as a Factory Nurse (Chicago), continuing on at Edward Hospital (Naperville) and St. Anne’s Hospital (Chicago), working in both the ER and the surgical departments. Later, she continued her career as a school nurse for Lisle School District 203, where she served for 23 years, earning the title of Illinois State School Nurse of the Year. During retirement, Jan continued to share her passion for nursing by training school nurses entering the field, as a field supervisor for the school nurse program at National-Lewis University. Jan never stopped giving back to her community, volunteering her nursing skills at the local free clinic, and volunteering her time at the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton an avid Cubs fan (Go Cubs Go!) and an above par golfer. She would often remind you that she was “not a sweet eater”, so it’s fitting that her friends were the true chocolate chips in her cookie of life. Those friendships were bonded by traveling the world, book clubs, theater outings and numerous other organized activities. Her sense of adventure reminded all that knew her, that while we will inevitably get older, the fun should never stop!
Jan married Wayne Stewart on June 9,1956. They lived in Chicago and later moved to Lisle where they raised their family of five. Jan was the loving Mother of Sandra Peet, Keith Stewart, and Thomas Stewart. Grandmother to Kristin Murphy, John Kemerling, Brian Stewart, Kevin Stewart, and Tara Stewart. Great Grandmother to Colin Murphy, Grady Murphy, and Lennon Kemerling. Jan is survived by her sister Lynne as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She has reunited with her husband Wayne and son Tom. Jan blessed the lives of anyone lucky enough to have known her. We will miss you immensely. Thank You for blessing our lives GG!
We will celebrate our amazing “GG” on Saturday, December 11th at 10am. The service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 515 S Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton or the People’s Resource Center also in Wheaton.
