Janet Jepeway (1942-2006)

JEPEWAY, LETOURNEAU

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 6/23/2006 at 07:39:28

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, June 22, 2006.

Janet Jepeway
Feb. 6, 1942-June 20, 2006
After a three-month struggle, Janet Arleen Jepeway succumbed to ovarian cancer Tuesday, June 20, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. She loved the Ames community and had resided here since 1969.

She was born Feb. 6, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Gertrude Mae (LeTourneau) Jepeway and Adrian Jepeway. She was raised in northeast Iowa by her maternal grandmother and graduated with honors from Waukon High School in 1960. Pursuing higher education, she received a bachelor's degree from Truman State University (formerly Northeast Missouri State University) in 1965, and a master's degree from Iowa State University in 1975. As a professional, her overall area of interest was human behavior with a specialty in organizational building and development.

She has enjoyed a rich career in educational, non-profit volunteer organizations and private business. Her working style involved forming linkages and partnerships among organizations and individuals based on common interests. She was director of the Young Adult Program at the YWCA in Des Moines and was involved in its successful capital campaign, the first by a Des Moines women's organization. Through the years, she has served Iowa State University in a variety of positions with the Engineering Research Institute, Office of International Students and Scholars, Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment, ISU Foundation and Admissions Office. In the private and business sectors, she worked for the American Red Cross; the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS); was co-owner of an independent trucking and freight business in Des Moines; and part owner of Outdoor Lighting Associates Inc. in Ames. Since 1997, she has been employed at Access Direct Telemarketing (now PRC) in various positions, including business to business calling, quality assurance department and recruitment and retention/staff supervision.

Her community involvement included life memberships in ISU Alumni Association, ISU Memorial Union and Wheatsfield Grocery; artist memberships in Ames Community Arts Council and Main Street Cultural District; Advisory Board member of Story County Conservation Partners; and Dark-Sky Preservation Committee member in Ames Area Amateur Astronomers. She also held memberships in Ames Camera Club; Big Bluestem Audubon Society; Iowa Ornithologists' Union; and Friends of Central Iowa Biking.

She has been a committed board member and vice-president of the Ames Historical Society, and in that role was responsible for launching the society's building fund by recruiting an anonymous donor. At her own initiative, she developed the Hallett's/Hayden Project in which she created an historical record illustrated by more than 1,500 photos of Hallett's Quarry and its restoration as Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Many residents will recall attending her photo exhibits and presentations given at Story County Conservation as well as the presentation at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park dedication.

Her passions have been nature appreciation and photography. She began taking pictures at age 10 when she was given a Brownie camera. She has enjoyed travel throughout the U.S. as well as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, India and Australia. As a creative artist, she enjoyed doing macrame and exhibited at the Art Thing in the mid-1970s. Many organizations have benefited from her interpersonal and organizational skills. Friends will remember her empathy for humankind and love of nature (particularly birds).

Being the last leaf on the tree, she left no survivors. Friends and colleagues will announce plans for a memorial service and scattering of the cremains at a later date. Memorials may be donated to the Ames Historical Society, Story County Conservation, Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Ames Area Amateur Astronomers or Ames Camera Club.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, June 30, 2006.

A memorial service for Janet Jepeway will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at the shelter at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Colleagues and friends are invited to help celebrate Janet's life by sharing their recollections and tributes.