Janice E. Stowe

Janice Elaine Stowe, formerly of Rockford, Iowa, received her wings on February 24, 2026, passing away peacefully in Oro Valley, Arizona, at the beautiful age of 77. A funeral service will be held at First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, with Pastor Steve Johnson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, Iowa. Visitation will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the night prior, Thursday, March 5, at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City.

Born on September 10, 1948, to Elwood and Phyliss (Behne) Oeltjenbrun, Janice grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa, one of four children. From the very beginning, her joyful spirit made its mark on everyone who encountered her. As she grew up, her warmth, humor, and compassion grew with her, and became defining characteristics to all who were blessed with her companionship. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1966, and then from Hamilton Business College the following year.

In December 1969, Janice married the love of her life, Kurtis Stowe. The pair moved to Rockford in 1978, where together they built both a family and a business. Janice was integral in helping Kurt establish an auto body shop in Rockford. She later published the Rockford Register and eventually moved on to work at the local bank. Everywhere she went, she would pour herself into the people and places she loved. Her involvement with the P.E.O. sisterhood and "Young Mothers" group brought with it her brand of sweet encouragement, leadership, and long-lasting friendship.

Above all, Janice's heart belonged to her family. She loved her sons fiercely, and when they, in turn, married, their wives were taken under Janice's loving wing without hesitation. Her grandchildren, as they entered her life, were her pride and joy. Janice was made to be a grandma. Her house was a veritable treasure trove of candy, treats, and love. At Christmastime, her passion for baking roared to life as she shared cookies, scotcheroos, and her famous apple sauce brownies. Her determination to make others smile meant Christmas was a fun time and everyone involved in the festivities was strongly suggested to wear antlers, Santa hats, and other holiday accessories.

In her later years, Janice remained as passionate about her friends and family as ever. She never hesitated to go out of her way to make someone's day better and would take every opportunity to spend time with those she loved, whether that meant a game of UNO, sharing an adult coloring book, or a jaunt through the neighborhood on her motorized scooter. She kept in touch with her loved ones with a fierce dedication and made a special point to call her best friend of a great many years, Mary Smith, just about every Saturday without fail.

Janice was a beacon of joy, creativity, and dedication for all who knew her. Though her life on this Earth has ended, she continues to illuminate the hearts and memories of all those who were blessed to cross paths with her.

She is survived by her sons, Jamie (Katie) Stowe of Oro Valley, Arizona and Chad (Jill) Stowe of Aurora, Colorado; her cherished grandchildren, Andrew Stowe of New York, New York; Noah (Courtney) Stowe of Nevada, Iowa; Dylan Stowe and Ali Stowe, both of Aurora, Colorado; her siblings, Kristi (Chris) Petersen and Brad Oeltjenbrun, both of Clear Lake, Iowa; and many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were made brighter because of her.

In her passing, she is reunited with her beloved husband, Kurtis Stowe; her parents, Elwood and Phyliss Oeltjenbrun; and her brother, Lynn Oeltjenbrun.

We have been blessed beyond measure by Janice's presence in our lives. We will all carry her laughter and her light with us always.