Janet Frei Stoltz

Janet Frei Stoltz passed away peacefully on November 8, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. A visitation will be held in Midland on Tuesday, November 14, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home (3800 N. Big Spring Street, Midland). A private family burial will be held at a later time.

Janet was born on July 14, 1930, in Evanston, Illinois, to Russell and Gracia Frei. She was the youngest of three children and had an idyllic childhood in Wilmette, Illinois, on the North Shore of Chicago. She proudly graduated from New Trier High School.

Following high school Janet went off to the University of Colorado for two years, where she loved participating in social activities with Kappa Kappa Gamma. She claims her mother said she was having too much fun there and called her home to Chicago where she attended Northwestern University. This was a fortuitous move as she subsequently met her future husband, Deane Stoltz, there. Deane always told people she was his 13th consecutive blind date, much to the laughter of his audience.

Janet and Deane married on October 6, 1951, and immediately headed off to Norfolk, Virginia, where Deane was serving in the Navy. They moved to Midland, Texas, in 1955 to pursue the oil business where they loved the friendly and civic-minded community and had a large circle of friends. Janet was an avid tennis player and a master bridge player. She was also known for her beautiful handiwork! She was a perfectionist in her creation of smocked clothing for the grandchildren and ornate needlepoint creations. Janet was involved with First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and other service agencies.

Early on in their life in Midland, Janet and Deane discovered La Jolla, California, as a lovely refuge from the hot Midland summers. Since 1964 their family and subsequently their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have adored La Jolla as a place of special memories and family time that continues to this day.

Janet loved her life and felt she grew up in one of the best of times. She is preceded in death by her husband Deane and her daughter, Susan Tirey. She is survived by her son, Gary Stoltz and wife Pam; and her daughters, Candy Stoltz and Julie Noreen and husband Charlie. Her grandchildren include Christopher Tirey, Trevor Stoltz, Sawyer Stoltz, Berkeley Stoltz-Alarcia, Jenny Rees-Jones, Chandler Spivey, James Noreen, Shelley Tucker, and John Noreen. In addition, Janet had nine great-grandchildren, who all wore the same christening gown that the grandchildren wore before them.

The family would like to thank her loving caregiver, Margaret Gatua, who was with her for four years in Dallas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

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