Bob A. Janu
August 18, 1948 - July 17, 2014

"I have never missed anymore than you Bob. You had made such a great impact on my life. I will never forget the day you took me to my first baseball games when I was so young. I will always remember the days that we would spend hours on end outside on the doc, and you giving the knowledge that I still remember till this very hour. Love you and miss you. Dearest, Bix Beghe "

"On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Bob's military service to our nation."

"My sincere condolences to the family Bob A. Janu. It was not the Creator's purpose for mankind to suffer (Romans 5:12). May God give you peace through his promise to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Cherish all your happy memories and I hope that you are consoled by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3)."

"Today's memorial service was heartwarming and absolutely beautiful! I've only known Bob since March, and I feel so very blessed and grateful to have met him and Betty and spent time with them. Bob was always thinking of some special thing he could do to brighten Betty's day and she did the same for him. Their marriage is a shining testimonial of how a loving couple can and should be and it was inspiring to watch. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bob last Wednesday. I have three teenage daughters and there is never a dull moment. Bob knew that and always asked me about them and was genuinely interested. He talked at great length with me last Wednesday about the years when his children were growing up and I could tell that he was recalling those memories he told me about with great fondness. He mentioned how proud he was of both Tony and Angie. He was especially proud of their hardworking spirits and the wonderful adults they have both become. I will truly miss Bob and all of the talks we had. He was a wonderful man with a wonderful family and I am blessed for the short amount of time I got to know him."

"I met the Janu family when our family moved to Scandia in 5th grade. Tony and I played hockey and baseball growing up. I think I spent more weekends at Bob and Betty's house than my own. Bob was like a second father to me, and many other of the kids we grew up with. Bob was a great man. I am grateful for knowing him in my years growing up. I take what I learned from him and apply it to my own children. Thank You."

"Bob was always a bright and shining star everywhere he went. I first met Bob (Betty and Sandra as well) at Courage Center in 2002 where he was working hard to regain strength and function. He would come by my office everyday to chit chat and share his accomplishments. I looked forward to his visits. I will never forget the moment he learned to feed himself -- such an accomplishment and one that he was so very proud of. Bob was an inspiration to me as well as all of my co-workers. Betty's true grit was evident even when it wasn't always easy to smile. I uploaded three pictures that Bob sent to me -- one that he was so very proud of -- the picture of Bob, Betty and Tony standing in their living room. He loved life and best of all he loved his family. Bob will be missed by so many. This world just won't be the same without Bob. Gone too soon! Sending prayers for peace and strength at this most difficult time."

"Jan Willem Smeulers and Vera Guinan We met Bob and Betty when we lived in Minnesota and visited with Bob many times at the Shepherd Center after his accident. We then had the chance to visit Bob and Betty at their beautiful home and go out to dinner several times. It was always a true pleasure to be around Bob. He was a gentleman to the core. His fine taste and class was evident in his choice of bride, for Betty is remarkable. We have been deeply touched by knowing them both, and they give admirable testament to all that is best in human beings. While we left Minnesota in 2009, Bob and Betty never left our hearts. We wish Bob a beautiful future and Betty and her family strength and peace at this time."

"I'm gonna miss Bob a lot. Loved that smile and laugh. Persistant and persuasive, but always charming. Kind, considerate, caring and respectful. He made the most of a short straw. I hope he had the love of life that he portrayed over this decade plus of very challenging times. He gave me so much during those years. For that I will always be greatful and will smile thinking of him. Bob, you gave it everything you had and I'm happy for you that you are at peace. Betty, I'll miss you too. I don't know how to convey my admiration for you and all you have done. It would not be possible to find a more intelligent, quick study of the things you had to learn and do. Always put together, elegant and considerate of those trying to help you both. It was an example to all of us on the meaning of love, devotion and respect for the committment of marriage. I wish you comfort in your loss, peace in knowing you gave Bob the greatest gift in your love and care. When you are ready, I wish you lots of fun and enjoyment with your kids, grandkids, other family and friends."

"Bob and I grew up together on the Ottertail River in Breckenridge,Minnesota. We went to St. Mary's parochial school, then moved to St. Paul when he was 9. We lived 3 blocks from the state capital on Cedar St. and eventually went to Mechanic Arts High School. Bob was the popular one; snow day king, all city hockey player and baseball player. He was 18 when he joined the service and went to Viet Nam. He met betty on one of the flights home. After his accident we used to laugh about him not being able to afford Betty because she was a million dollars an ounce. She gave him the quality of life he has had and I will always be grateful for her. I too was at the reunion last weekend and got a chance to visit for a long time and get wonderful pictures. Then on Tuesday we spoke for an hour by phone about my trip to the old homestead in Breckenridge. The conversation ended with "well its time to head out to the Twins game" He never quit living thanks to Betty. I will miss the phone discussions greatly - I hope he has my ticket ready for the fast lane when my time comes. To Tony and Angie and the grandkids, sorry for your loss and a special thank you to Betty; the million dollar lady."

"I've always had a special relationship with my Uncle Bob. Being the youngest of the many Janu nieces and nephews that Bob had, I was often overlooked since there was such an age difference between me and my cousins, but not by Bob. He always called or stopped by with Tony and Angie. I was proud to have them as family. Those were my favorite days of my childhood. I was always excited to visit Bob and Betty, and was always welcomed with open arms. Anytime Bob called, I always ran to get my calculator because EVERYTIME he called, I would get a math quiz. As I grew older, so did distance, but he still called, and I still grabbed my calculator. Just last month, I got my math quiz, and passed :) I will miss the random chit-chat and the goofy voicemails that always had a corny joke, but most of all, the positivity, the stories of the hell he raised and his generous, loving heart. You will always have a special place in my heart. Although it hurts to lose such a great person that touched so many, I know he's enjoying that party in the sky with his brothers that he deserves. Those are the kind of things that he will be remembered for - making people smile and bringing laughter in their lives. And while it's going to be very difficult to think of this world without him, it is a happy thought knowing that wherever he is, he is only spreading happiness. Thank you Betty, for taking such great care of him. My deepest condolences to you, Tony & Angie and families. May his soul rest in peace and his spirit dance with all those pretty angels. "

"Bob was my uncle and godfather; he will always have a very special place in my heart. Although I lived in Colorado for most of my years and didn't get to spend too much time with Bob and Betty, I will never forget how kind and generous they were to me; it was always a special treat when I got to stay at their house on the lake. I can still see Bob mowing the big lawn at their house. Betty would cook wonderful meals for us and give me barrettes for my hair that she hand painted. One night Bob rounded up all the kids and took us all out for ice cream. I sat outside by the lake as the sun was setting, smelling the fresh cut grass, getting bit by mosquitos and thinking it was the best day ever. Bob was strong, handsome, charming, and had a great sense of humor. He had a presence about him that made a whole room want to stop and listen to him. My mom, Mary, and I were so thankful we had the opportunity to see Bob at the Janu family reunion just last weekend. As always, he was smiling, positive about life, and talking baseball. I know that Bob was a Christian and is free and at peace in heaven: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. My thoughts and prayers go out to Betty, Tony, and Angie; my sincere condolences on the loss of a beloved husband and father. May God give you all peace, strength, and comfort during this difficult time. "

"I always enjoyed visiting with Bob at the PVA bowling at Stars and Strikes in Wyoming. His smile and gentle manner and wonderful sense of humor will be missed. God Bless !!! "

"Continued... I can you see you dancing and smiling. Free and happy and that gives me peace you are with The Lord and his glory and you are happy!! That makes me smile and I will never forget you. We had are ups and downs but through it all I loved you. I learned so much about life and death happiness and sadness. In someways Bob helped me more than I helped him! I missed my opportunity to tell you this and mu apologies but I know you knew I loved and cared. I see you smiling and I see you dancing I ever hear your terrible singing voice like when we would sing (scream) haha. My sympathies to everyone and their sadness. I'm certian we are smiling because we know your in his kingdom and we see you walking and smiling. Rest in peace Bob "

"He had eyes that would smile just as big as the one on his face. I will never forget our road trip adventures. He was loved by so many and truly missed. I bet he's pulling a forest gump and running till he just can't anymore. He's home with God just where he wanted to be. "