Janet Jo Dietsch

Janet Jo (Stauth) Dietsch, 94, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025. She was born on January 30, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas to Evelyn Christie Stauth and James C. Stauth.

Janet was a member of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 2206 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704, where a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

In July 1949, she and her family moved to Boise where she attended Boise Junior College, earning her AA in Business. She graduated from Boise State College in 1969 with a BA in Elementary Education and from Boise State University in 1974 with an MA in Education with an emphasis in Reading.

In March 1950, Janet met Donald (Don) L. Dietsch at a BJC school mixer, where he asked her to dance. They married on October 22, 1950, at the Congregation Church, which lasted 54 years until Don’s death in July 2005. They had three children, Donna (June 1952), Steven (September 1953), and David (July 1955).

As an educator in the Boise School District, Janet taught elementary grades at Maple Grove and Washington and served as a reading specialist at Collister and Koelsh schools. She retired in 1995.

Janet adapted well to Boise and soon became an avid skier. She skied every available minute with family and friends until she was 75 years old. Her love of skiing led to her becoming one of the first women to serve on the Bogus Basin Ski Patrol. Other hobbies included: playing the organ, playing bridge, oil painting, and traveling (covering five continents). She was an avid reader and loved socializing. Most importantly, she was a devoted Boise State Broncos football fan, enjoying them most when they won by a huge margin!

Always an inspiration to her family, friends, and those who met her, she will be greatly missed by all. Janet is survived by her son, David (Debra), granddaughter Melissa Gilchrist, great-grandchildren Katie and Sam Dalton; nephews, Chris (Karen) Hansen and Ron (Carolyn) Ferguson; nieces, Shawna (Sam) Maggard and Sue Anthony; grandniece, Shyla (Tim) Larson; grandnephews, Adam and Ryan Hansen, and Eddie Anthony. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Jack Hansen, daughter Donna and son Steven.

The family wishes to thank Janet’s attentive and kind caregivers at Grace Assisted Living and St. Luke’s Hospice. A very special thank you to her long-time friend and caregiver Rita Aiken. Additionally, thank you to Tammy Masarik from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for all of her prayers and support.