Janet Mary Heinz was born July 1, 1941 in Atwood, Kansas to Reynold and Arletta (Jones) Heinz. A brother joined the family later. When the children were still young, the family moved to Imperial, Nebraska.

     Janet grew up enjoying band in school, spending time with family and friends. She met William “Bill” Stevenson. Janet and Bill were married in August of 1958. Two children were born to the couple, a daughter and a son. As the children got older Janet and Bill parted ways.

     After Janet’s children were out on their own, she decided to go back to school and get her nursing license. After receiving her LPN, she chose to work with the aged in nursing home. She enjoyed the work.

     After she retired from nursing, she reconnected with a friend, Lyle Hackney, who became her companion. She and Lyle were married in July of 2004, combining her birthday with his favorite holiday. Janet and Lyle spent many days enjoying fishing, and hunting.

     Janet, in her retirement, returned to her hobby of sewing. She spent hours at the machines sewing everything from bridal gowns and prom dresses to piecing quilts for family members and friends, to making curtains for Lyle’s tractor cab.

     Janet was a volunteer at the thrift store in Atwood. Where she would fund the materials to make a quilt for the PDC to raffle off.

     Later when she and Lyle moved to Herndon, she volunteered at the library. She also had a great love of flowers and gardening. She won Yard of the Month several times for her beautiful flower bed. Even if they were just wildflowers.

     Janet passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Decatur Health in Oberlin, Kansas. She was 84 years of age.

     Janet also started a collection of Teddy Bears to the tune of over 1000 bears. All kinds, all colors and all sizes. Janet loved life. She enjoyed life and she will be missed by all those whose life she touched. Even if it was in just a small way.

     Janet was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tom; husband, Lyle, and grandson, Eric.

     She is survived by her daughter, Jeneize Stevenson; son, Carl (Jodi) Stevenson,; stepsons, Coley and TJ Hackney; granddaughter, Nicole (Ricky) Davidge; grandson, Adam (Cara) Stevenson; great-grandchildren, Rick, Lilly and Perrin Davidge and Isabell Graham and Stanton Stevenson; sister-in-law, Sue (Tom) Heinz, Vicki (Roger) Houston and Sandy (Ross) Van Curen; brother-in-law, Marlin Betty and many other family members as well as tons of friends. 

 Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atwood, Kansas. Burial in the Rosefield Cemetery outside Trenton, Nebraska will follow services.

 Memorials in Janet’s name are suggested to Decatur Health, the hospital in Oberlin, Kansas. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.