Janet Mae (Lenz) Larson, age 86, passed away in her home surrounded by her daughters on Wednesday, July 31 after a courageous battle with ALS. Janet was born on December 26, 1937, to loving parents Myrtle and Orville Lenz. She spent her youth on a farm just south of Albert Lea, MN and was the second youngest of five children, having three sisters and one brother. Farm life taught her to work hard and gave her determination to tackle the hard tasks throughout her life. Janet met her husband Roger at a roller rink in 1955 and it was love at first sight. After a whirlwind romance, they married on September 10, 1955, and soon after started a family of their own. She and Roger moved their family to Owatonna, MN in 1959 where she lived until her passing.

Janet Mae Larson

Family and faith were the center of Janet’s life. She was happiest when surrounded by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being outdoors enjoying a walk in the woods or spending time with her beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed a good puzzle and could never have too much ice cream. Janet had a passionate faith that carried her to the end. Her prayers for family, friends, and nation were many and continuous. It grieved her to have to leave all she held dear in this life as she said she had more to do. Janet (and her delicious desserts) will be missed by her family and friends.

Janet is survived by her daughters Cynthia Larson, Linda (Mike) Laverty, Suzanne (Lindsay) Livingood, and Angela Larson; seven grandchildren, Amy (Chris) Rasmussen, Aaron (Nicky) Simpson, Sean (Mandi) Simpson, Sarah (Stephen) Marsh, Brandon (Deidra) Livingood, Kelsey (Daniel) Marsh, and Thomas Laverty; nine great-grandchildren, Dylan, Adalynn, Chloe, Caden, Lucy, Cyrus, Everett, Audrey, and Ayden; sisters Betty Paul, Phylis Champ, Lois Peterson, and brother Warren Lenz.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roger, parents Orville and Myrtle Lenz, and grandson, Peter Laverty.

We will celebrate her life on Friday, August 16, 2024. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. with service following at 11:00 a.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. Pastor Joel Stauffer will officiate. Interment will be at St John’s Cemetery in Owatonna.

Throughout her illness, Janet often asked, “why isn’t there a cure? We ask that you consider a gift in her name to the ALS Association (ALS.org).