Janet Anne Hibbard

Janet Anne Hibbard passed away peacefully at her home in the early hours of March 23, 2026.

Janet was born July 21, 1960, in San Diego, California, to Obie and Dorothy Brooks. She was the middle of three children and spent her younger years in Santa Cruz, where she developed her love for the ocean that she hoped to one day return to. Janet and her family later moved to Hemet, California, where she began her own chapter of life and had four children.

Janet married her husband, Frederick Hibbard Jr, on June 12, 1999. A month later, Janet, Fred, and her four children moved to Ladysmith, Wisconsin, where she resided ever since. Janet worked at Rusk County Memorial Hospital for 17 years as a dietary aide. After retiring, she worked for Ladysmith Head Start as the Head Cook. Following her second retirement, Janet spent summers running “Grandma’s Daycare,” welcoming her grandchildren to make special memories with grandma. In her free time, she enjoyed attending rock concerts with Fred and was always ready for a road trip, no matter how long or short. Janet was well traveled and especially enjoyed visiting family and friends up and down the California coast and in other states.

Those who knew Janet knew she had many loves in life, including traveling, Aerosmith, the ocean, mermaids, and her friends and family, but most of all, she took great pride in being a grandma. She will forever be remembered and loved by all who knew her.

Janet had a special talent for making those around her feel valued. She built countless friendships and strong relationships with those fortunate enough to cross her path.

She is survived by her husband, Frederick Hibbard Jr; daughters Sara Copas and Kayla (Fred) Niles; sons Jacob (Katie) Channell and Kyle (Jolene) Jeffress; step-sons Ryan and Josh Hibbard; siblings Linda (Steve) Adkison and Michael (Patty) Brooks; 13 grandchildren, Courtney and Ethan Channell, Hayley Copas, Naomi, Freddy, and Vanessa Niles, Brayden, Connor, Rylynn, Wyatt, and Katelynn Channell, and Olivia and Cora Jeffress; and her great-grandchild, Liam Connell. She is also survived by her “adopted son,” Greg Adkison; her close niece, Sarrah Hibbard; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Obie and Dorothy Brooks, and her beloved granddaughter, Hayleigh Turner.

A visitation will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, with a memorial service from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM, officiated by Pastor Ruth de Jesus. A celebration of life will follow at the Edgewood Social Club. All who knew Janet are invited to share their memories, as she would say, “dream on,” and come together to celebrate a life so beautifully lived.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.