Janet Louise Mackedanz

Janet L. Mackedanz, age 78, of Kandiyohi, passed away Thursday, April 17, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Wilmar.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 25, at Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church near Kandiyohi. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Janet Louise Mackedanz was born on March 18, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Janet was adopted as an infant by Otto and Mary Frances Wangerin, of Stewart, MN, where she was raised on their family farm. She graduated high school at Stewart in 1966. She was raised Catholic, but later in life converted to Lutheran faith. Janet met her husband Ron Mackedanz in January 1966. They married on December 29, 1966, and were happily married for over 58 years. Janet was a member of Tripolis Lutheran Church.

She was a lover of animals, having many cats, dogs, and horses over the years. She enjoyed many trail rides with the Morton Saddle Club. Janet was an aspiring artist, loving to draw and paint, as well as an avid book reader. Janet also loved playing with her numerous grandchildren when they came to visit. Janet worked in the health care field as a CNA and home healthcare aide for several years. She made numerous friends during those years. 

Janet lived in the Kandiyohi County area for most of her adult life but enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. As anyone who knew Janet would attest, she was a unique character. As small as she was, Janet was tough as nails. She had 99 lives and used her goofy sense of humor and sassiness to get through each one.

She is survived by her loving husband, Ronald of Kandiyohi; three daughters, Mary Niece of Hutchinson, Brenda (and Haakon) Johnson of Rockville and Dawna (and Johan (“Yanno” to Janet)) Haman of San Diego, CA; nine grandchildren, Ashley (and Kyle), Luke (and Paige), Amber (and Reed), Laurie (and Scott), Haakon Jr., Thomas (and Selena), Nathan, Nick and Taylor; ten great grandchildren; one brother, Michael (and Beverly) Wangerin of Hutchinson; and one niece, Leah; besides other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.