Janina Katherine Pylypuw was born on April 23,1949 in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany, to Wasyl and Pelagia Pylypuw, who were of Polish descent and brought their family to America in January of 1952.
Janina became a United States citizen in December of 1967. She lived the rest of her life in Butte attending elementary and high schools, graduating from Butte High school in 1967.
She attended Butte Business College taking the secretarial course. She then worked at the Safeway Corporate Offices until 1972.
She married Mark Stepan on April 4, 1970 and they were married for 49 years. Their son Richard Marcus Stepan was born on March 31, 1972, and daughter Sherri Lee Stepan was born on November 3, 1973.
She was a stay-at-home Mom until she began working for the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement on November I, 1984, where she worked as a Detective Secretary and Evidence Technician until her retirement.
She had a deep love for all animals and for her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Janina was preceded in death by her father, Wasyl Pylypuw; mother, Pelagia Pylypuw; brother Richard Pylypuw; sister-in-law, Norma Stepan; niece, Angela Stepan; and nephew, Keith Young.
She is survived by her son Bummer (Rachel Anderson-Stepan) of Butte; her daughter Sherri (Jon Ayres) of Bozeman; grandchildren, Skyllar Stepan of Butte, Hunter Anderson-Stepan of Butte and great-grandson Braxton Stepan-Doyle of Butte. Surviving her also are her half-sister-in-law Marcia (Bill Zankowski) of Bozeman; brother-in-law Michael Stepan of Superior; sister-in-law Norma Pylypuw of Butte; and nephews Kenny Young of Billings, Raymond Young of Billings, Dennis (Laura Young) of Butte, Mikey (Ruth Stepan) of Monroe, WA, and niece Michelle Clark of Bozeman. Plus, numerous cousins, great nephews and nieces.
Donations may be made to the following: the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter/Albert’s Angel Fund in Butte, Pintler Pets in Anaconda, the Humane Society of the Beaverhead in Dillon, or the Four Paws Shelter in Cardwell.
Services for Janina will begin at 5:30 P.M. Thursday, August 8th with a visitation at Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2009 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT 59701. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 9th at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1201 Caledonia St. in Butte, followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery, 3910 Harrison Ave in Butte, and concluding with a reception held at the Butte Depot, 818 S Arizona Ave in Butte.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Janina and her family.
Please visit below to leave her family a condolence or share a memory of Janina.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Thursday August 8, 2024
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services
2009 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
1:00 P.M.
Friday August 9, 2024
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1201 Caledonia St
Butte, Montana 59701
Interment
Following Mass
Friday August 9, 2024
Mountain View Cemetery
3910 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday August 9, 2024
Butte Depot
818 S Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Thursday August 8, 2024
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services
2009 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
1:00 P.M.
Friday August 9, 2024
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1201 Caledonia St
Butte, Montana 59701
Interment
Following Mass
Friday August 9, 2024
Mountain View Cemetery
3910 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday August 9, 2024
Butte Depot
818 S Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Darlene Allen says
Janina was a wonderful person and a great friend. We went to grade school together and high school and shared many fun times remembering who we knew and growing up. I would run into her occasionally at Kissock’s horse ranch where she spent much time caring for her horse. We shared many interesting conversations there. She will be missed and I feel lucky to have known her.
Geneta Bishop says
I worked with Jan for 23 years and stayed in touch with weekly lunches after retirement. She was one of the fastest typists/keyboard entry that I ever saw. She loved horses, cats and her family. After working for so many years she was afraid she wouldn’t have enough to do if she retired. Soon after retiring she did state that she didn’t miss it at all. Jan had a kind heart and I will miss her along with all the others whose life she touched. She made my life fuller and my memories happier.
Kathleen Drakos says
Janina & I have been friends since the late 60’s. Her Dad would let her drive his 67 chevy and would put 25 cents worth of gas in it and cruise the drag with our other friend Betty who was dating Tai a waiter at Ming’s on Park St. He would run out of the cafe and jump in the car and we would cruise the drag once so they could be together and they we would drop him off and his parents never knew he was gone. Great memories! I went on many fishing trips to Delmoe lake with Janina, Mark & the kids. They even took me on vacation with them a couple of times. I lost touch with her later but reconnected in recent years and we have gone to the Mother Lode, Art in the Park & other outings. I will truly miss her. She was a wonderful friend for many years. Rest in peace my friend!
Chellie Longmire says
Much respected in the community and the “chill Mom” in our years growing up in the old neighborhood, Janina will be missed. I have sweet memories of my sister and her daughter dressing up their cats and rabbits and any other pets Janina let out of the house in doll clothes and walking them around the neighborhood in baby strollers. Her Mom used to talk to the flowers in Polish each day as she watered them and probably cuss us out in polish for riding our bikes in the street and being kids. Always welcoming and kind, Janina always had time for a chat, an invite to dinner or maybe a snack. We know she has a seat in Heaven and our hearts go out the Stepan family.
Lisa Turley says
Janina was one of the kindest and sweetest person we have ever met. She loved her cats and her family deeply! We will miss her so much!! Love the crew at St Francis Veterinary Hospital, Dr Turley, Lisa Turley, Kendall Torpey. 🐈⬛🙏🏻❤️
Jeff Miller says
Bummer, Sherri and family, please accept my deepest sympathies in the death of your mom. Your mom and I started the same year at the Law Enforcement Department and I worked with her for the next twenty years. She was an awesome Detective Secretary and was extremely competent in that evidence room. More importantly, she was a very kind and compassionate lady. I will miss her and I hope that all of the great memories you hold of her will help you through this difficult time. Rest in Peace Jan!
Julie Dickson says
I will deeply miss Jan. She was often at the agility shows to support Sherri and I and often Jan would take videos of our runs. Through the years I looked up to Jan as a big sister. Jan was an animal lover and enjoyed her cats.
Little did I know last July would be the last time I would see Jan in person. We had a great time during Sherri and Jan’s visit.
Big hugs and prayers go out to Sherri and her family during this difficult time.
Sharon Guizzo says
To the Family of Jan Stepan.
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Jan was a very kind and sweet lady. I worked with her many years ago. She was always so helpful, kind and quiet. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
GENETA BISHOP says
My deepest condolences to Jan’s family. You have lost a wonderful woman who has surely blessed you all with some good memories that will always be a part of your lives. God Bless.