Janet Weston Stone

Pauline Janet Weston, 87, of West Des Moines, Iowa, went to heaven peacefully on January 28, 2025, in Des Moines. A visitation will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, West Des Moines, with the funeral immediately following. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery beside her husband and sister.

Born May 10, 1937, to Carl LaValle Weston and Mary Josephine (Higgins) Weston, Janet was the youngest of five siblings. She attended St. Augustin’s School, St. Joseph’s Academy, and later Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa.

She married Michael Carr, and together they had one son and three daughters. After her mother’s passing, Janet married Harley Rynning and had another daughter. In time, she found her lifelong companion, Leon “Stoney” Stone, with whom she shared over 34 years. Stoney brought three sons into her life, and together they built a full and joyful family.

In her late 30s, while raising her children, Janet returned to college and earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education with several endorsements from Drake University. She taught Special Education at Norwalk Middle and High Schools for over 20 years, then spent another 20+ years substitute teaching in Des Moines.

Janet and Stoney made a lifetime of memories together — summers at Lost Island, lively trips to Omaha to visit her sister Rita and brother-in-law Lonnie, and countless gatherings filled with laughter. Janet loved dining out, especially at Maxi’s, Greenbrier, and Waterfront, eating anything chocolate, solving puzzles, listening to ‘70s music, watching musicals and old black and white movies, attending the horse races, and visiting the local casino. She always enjoyed having a good time.

They hosted Thanksgiving & Christmas at their home for many years, bringing together family, including her father, her sister Jean, and Jean’s longtime partner. They attended the grand-childrens’ birthday parties & sporting events. All of her children & grandchildren were important to her. She loved them all, no matter what. She is greatly missed.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Josie Weston; siblings Jean Weston, Joann Blakeslee, Rita Stewart, and Paul Weston; and nephew Jim Blakeslee.

She is survived by her children Kathleen Carr, Michael Carr, Madonna Bloom, Kimberly Hofbauer, and Valerie (Todd) Upham; her stepsons Jim, Tom, and Jere Stone; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.