Janet L. McCalla, of Lima Twp, MI, age 87, passed away on September 8, 2024, at her home.
Janet was born on August 9, 1937, in Ann Arbor, MI, to Harold and Marie (Pries) Powers. She married Leonard "Spike" McCalla on January 26, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor. They enjoyed over 52 years of marriage.
Janet loved her life on the farm, investing her life in making their farm a home. They raised hogs for many years, and she loved her garden, harvesting, canning, freezing, and cooking up whatever they grew. She was an active member of Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter and FCE Extension Group. Janet enjoyed taking the lead in organizing events like the Webster Fall Festival and FCE conventions. She was a strong supporter of the 4-H and FFA youth programs. She had an "I can do that!" approach. She expressed her creativity by activities like painting the Roger's Corners Herdmans signs for the 4-H Fair barns and the champion hog signs for the Chelsea Fair, sewing Halloween costumes, knitting baby blankets and Christmas stockings, and a plethora of other do-it-yourself projects. She often expressed her thoughtfulness by making baked goods for the mail carrier, feed mill, and garbage man.
Janet took pride in her home and family. She was a supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. She took great joy in hosting family gatherings, decorating her home for the holidays, and creating a warm, welcoming environment. She was known as the family historian, maintaining scrapbooks with wedding announcements, baptisms, news clippings, and various memorabilia. She loved her grandchildren, priorizing their development and shaping of their values, while her great-grandchildren brought her much peace and happiness. Despite her shyness in her younger years, Janet's adult years were marked by a spirited and lively personality, always eager to share her opinion, a story, or a laugh.
Janet is survived by her three children, Leonard (Lara McMahon) McCalla of Grass Lake, Lucinda McCalla of Marshall, MI, and Melinda (Kirk) Hautau of Marshall, MI; nine grandchildren: Matthew (Evelyn) McCalla, Charlie (Ellie) McCalla, and Olivia McCalla (and their mother, Laurie McCalla); Rylie and Kennedy McCalla; and Kirk Madison (Olivia) Hautau, Henry Hautau, Morgan (Lauren) Hautau, and Harrison Hautau; six great-grandchildren Olivia, Camila, Piper, Campbell and Viola McCalla; and Eleanor Hautau; a brother, Neal Powers; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband, Leonard, she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles (Martha) Powers, and a sister, Alberta (Peter) Stein.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, 3:00 p.m., at Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 3-7 p.m., as well as at the church on Sunday from 2-3 p.m. and after the burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to 4-H Youth Programs or Webster United Church of Christ.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
