Janet was born in Detroit on November 28, 1933, to Eugene and Charlotte Nelson. She was the youngest of three children, she had an older brother Arthur, and an older sister, Marjorie.

She was a proud graduate of Makenzie High School in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan, majoring in musical education. She sang in the choir and played many musical instruments, excelling at piano. She also played on the women’s field hockey team at U of M and enjoyed attending Football games, especially the halftime band shows. While at U of M she met Robert Dulmage, and they were married in 1953. They both transferred to Michigan State where she continued her musical studies. In 1954 Bob was drafted by the Army. They moved to El Paso Texas for two years when he was in the service. Later, while raising three children Janet finished her degree in teaching at Wayne State University and then earned her master’s in education at Eastern Michigan University.    

Janet was a teacher in the Wayne Westland School District where she taught kindergarten at Patchen School for over 30 years.  She was a very active, giving member of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Garden City then Holy Spirt Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield, as well as Bethel Lutheran Church in Hobe Sound Florida, where she and Bob spent the winter months after retirement. She was a children’s choir director for over 50 years at her Michigan and Florida churches, sharing her love of music and God with countless young children. Her favorite choir activities were holiday concerts and pageants where the children were front and center.

When her children were younger Janet was very involved in their schooling and other activities such as Girl Scouting, baseball, camping, dance, piano and snow skiing. The whole family joined Kandahar ski club in Fenton and Janet and Bob taught the children how to ski at a young age. Once the kids were skilled enough the family took skiing vacations at Boyne Highlands every year as well. Janet continued to enjoy skiing until she retired and spent the winter months in Florida.

In retirement Janet loved spending summers in Michigan on Upper Straits Lake with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She especially enjoyed dancing at “music on the lake” events and could chicken dance and hokey pokey with the best of them! She made annual visits to Mackinac Island for the sailboat races as well as traveling across the state to meet up with friends, relatives and former coworkers. Over the years she traveled with her brother and sister, taking many tours together to exotic locations across the globe.

Janet enjoyed spending her winters in Florida with her second “family” of retired snowbird friends and neighbors. She was an avid golfer and an accomplished potter. She crafted special pottery like Christmas and Easter ornaments for her children and grandchildren every year, which are now dear to us all. She belonged to several women’s groups and a golf league in Florida.

Janet returned to Michigan each winter for a week or two in December to celebrate birthdays and holidays with her extended family. She loved to decorate her home and host large gatherings. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s musical, theater and dance performances.

Janet was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister as well as her husband Robert. Janet is survived by her children, Virginia Uhley, William (Nancy) Dulmage and Thomas (Stephanie) Dulmage. Grandchildren, Ryan (Hannah) Uhley, Jeanette (Mike) Roberts, Ben (Paige) Dulmage, Steve Dulmage, Tom Dulmage, Michael (Lauren)Dulmage, Nicholas Dulmage and Alexa Dulmage. Great Grandchildren, Lauren, Robert, Murphy, Andersen, Reagan and Oaklee. She is also survived by her very special friend Al Shollenberger.

A visitation for Janet and her family will be held Thursday, June 6th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. She will lie in state on Friday, June 7th, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirt Lutheran Church, 4800 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield. A luncheon will be served at the church following the ceremony. Janet will be laid to rest along with Robert at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Michigan at a later date.

Memorial donations in Janet’s name may be directed to Holy Spirt Lutheran Church.