Janet Anderson

Janet A. Anderson, age 84, Beardsley, MN, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 25, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Fr. John Paul Knopik officiating.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Beardsley.  Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Amy Miller, Kelly Johnson, Kolby Gausman, Mackenzie Severance, Abbey Kontz, and Marlie Maanum.  Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Corey Fossen, Levi Fossen, Riley Maanum, Austin Maanum, Sam Maanum, and Charlie Maanum.

The Christian Mothers will be saying the Rosary at 9:15 a.m. Saturday.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Janet Anne (Doschadis) Anderson was born on June 24, 1940, to Arlie William and Leona Elizabeth (Exner) Doschadis in Browns Valley Township, Traverse County, MN.  She graduated from Beardsley High School in 1959 but was always considered a true member of the Class of 1958.

Janet married Larry Kontz at the Catholic Church of St. Anthony on November 27, 1957.  They resided with Larry's parents after being wed.  Shortly thereafter, they purchased a farm five miles north of Beardsley.  This is where they called home, raised their four children, and farmed, raising livestock and grains.  This is where she gained her proud title of "Nana".  Janet loved flowers and gardening.  In the fall, you would find her in the kitchen canning vegetables, venison, and freezing corn.

Early on Janet worked at the Beardsley Locker Plant and always had interesting stories to tell about her workmates.  Janet received an Early Childhood Education degree at the University of MN Morris.  She enjoyed helping families as a recruiter for Head Start and working with some of her best friends.  She devoted Wednesdays to teaching Catechism at St. Mary's.  Janet was a member of the Council of Catholic Women, Daughters of Isabella, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Janet enjoyed playing and "winning" any card game.  She and Larry enjoyed many snowmobiling adventures in West Yellowstone, MT, and the White Earth Reservation, where the family would spend a week each Christmas vacation.  She enjoyed preparing and sharing wonderful meals, BBQ Beef, No Bowl Cake, and the irresistible Nut Goodie Bars.  The family enjoyed spring fishing openers and summers at the cabin(s) on Big Stone Lake.  A good fish fry and potato salad were one of Janet's special highlights.

Larry passed in August of 1994 and Janet moved to Beardsley in 1995.  She continued to work as the Manager of Inter-Lake Coop Creamery in Browns Valley until her retirement in 2003.  She loved being a bookkeeper and especially liked giving ice cream treats to the little patrons of the creamery.

Janet was blessed to find a best friend and second spouse, Gordon "Butch" Anderson.  Janet and Butch were married on June 19, 2004, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Beardsley, MN.

Janet and Butch spent most of their winters in Arizona, first with a travel trailer, and later purchasing a home at Desert Sands.  Janet enjoyed shopping, playing penny slots, the wild horses, warm weather and beautiful sunsets.  Janet especially loved her time spent with Butch.  She appreciated the comradery with the local snowbirds as well as many new friends made in Mesa.

Janet lived in Beardsley until her mind and body began to fail her.  She resided at the Browns Valley Care Center until her peaceful passing.  Janet was a friend to many and will be remembered as being a true follower of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Survivors include her husband, Gordon "Butch" Anderson of Ortonville, MN; children, Debbie (Steve) Fossen of Waseca, MN, Tom Kontz of Graceville, MN, Mona (Pat) Maanum of Johnson, MN, and Karen (Tom) Maanum of Graceville; step children, Carla (Darren) Diekmann of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Joan Anderson of Tomah, WI; grandchildren, Amy (Jon) Miller, Corey (Jodi) Fossen, Kelly (Dan) Johnson, Levi (Amy) Fossen, Kolby (Derek) Gausman, Mackenzie (Thomas "TJ") Severance, Abbey Kontz, Riley (Brandie) Maanum, Austin (Savanna) Maanum, Sam (Hannah) Maanum, Charlie (Courtany) Maanum, and Marlie (Christian Elmer) Maanum;  and five step grandchildren.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Belle and Libby Miller, Brayden and Ethan Evenson, Cora and Emry Fossen, Landen, Emma and Asher Johnson, Ivy and Willow Fossen, Jack and Harper Gausman, Paityn, Carsyn and Hayden Severence, Huxton Kontz, Ridley, Loren and Arlie Maanum, Everett Maanum, Emmitt and Cooper Maanum, and Coralee and Scotlyn Maanum; 13 step great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Virgil Doschadis and Phyllis Saxton; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her first spouse, Larry; parents, Arlie and Leona Doschadis; parents-in-law, Albert and Gladys Kontz; brothers and sisters, Marian Doschadis, Leon Doschadis, Ray (Joyce) Doschadis, Howard "Hub" (Joan) Doschadis, and Clare Doschadis; sister-in-law, Patricia (Larry) Rugg; and stepson Todd Anderson.