"I was very honored to get to know your parents through Mt Moriah . Their love for Christ was very evident with their smiles and friendly attitude. We had a special connection as I was the RN that cared for Barb and Steve?s twins and Janet and Ken would come y too rock and hold the boys! Janet loved and was very proud of her family Ardi Gibbs"
In loving memory of
Janet Muriel Meyer
May 14, 1933 - September 14, 2022
Janet Muriel (Wendelschafer) Meyer, 89, of Rochester, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Jan was born on May 14, 1933 at Mankato, the daughter of Arthur and Ethel (Ellingworth) Wendelschafer of Cleveland, MN. She grew up on a farm on the shores of Lake Jefferson in Le Sueur County, where she loved to spend time with her grandparents, play cards with her friends, and go to dances at Hardeggers. Jan graduated from Cleveland High School in 1951. On October 20, 1951 Jan married Kenneth E. Meyer, also of Le Sueur County, in St Peter, MN. They raised a family and farmed just outside of Elysian, MN. Jan was an extremely hardworking wife and mother. She worked a garden more than an acre in size, she worked in the fields alongside her husband and children, she provided food for her family through all her hard work, canning fruits, and vegetables every summer, making apple sauce and everyone's favorite, chocolate chip cookies. Jan spent years doing daycare for a number of children. Jan was very devoted to her family, her faith, and her church. She volunteered any spare time she had to their church, Bethlehem Lutheran, in Elysian, serving in a variety of positions. In 1997, Jan and Ken retired to Rochester, and lived with their daughter and family. They both continued to work very hard, helping their kids out anytime they could. Later in life they belonged to Mount Moriah Lutheran in Byron.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ken, son, Craig Meyer, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Anne (Bruce) Jensen.
Jan is survived by her daughters Becky (Dale) Grotsun, of rural Freeborn, and Barbara (Steve) Jerabek of Rochester, son, Reverend John (Laurie) Meyer of rural Janesville, MN, daughter-in-law, Deborah Meyer of Madison, Wisconsin, sister, Marion (Andy) Derner of Farmington, brother, Richard Wendelschafer of Cleveland, grandchildren Jennifer (Marc) Mills, Jes Grotsun, Kari (Ed) Mason, Connie Janine Meyer, KC Meyer, Alex (Katie) Jerabek, Rachael Jerabek, Samuel Jerabek, Jerry Jerabek, Sarah Meyer, Mark Meyer, Will Meyer, Anna Meyer, and sister -in law, Darlene Schwartz of Waterville. Jan also had eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jan's family would like to thank Mount Moriah Lutheran Church for their continual cards of love and support.
A memorial service service will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 7 pm at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Memorials may be given to the LCMS Ministry for the Armed Forces.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Meyer family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"Not everyone gets the opportunity to see their grandparents more than a few times a year growing up, much less become friends with one of them. I?ve been fortunate enough to be in that last group, and all I can say is that the years I spent with my grandma have made me a better person. Be it hours watching TV idly and stoking some cross-generational dialogue about the things she could still remember from seventy-some years ago, helping me study for spelling bees when I was in elementary school, teaching me to sew, or just being there to talk to at any time I needed someone, I?ve really enjoyed getting to know and befriend my grandma. As she got older and her mobility and general quality of life decreased, I and my family had to help her more and more, as loved ones are supposed to do. Even then there are formative moments and specific memories she leaves with me. On Thanksgiving 2019, after I had helped her back to her apartment in her wheelchair, she thanked me. And not thinking, I replied to her, ?It?s nothing.? She said to me: ?It was something. Don?t you ever say it was nothing.? I carry that with me still, just like I?ll always carry with me the countless small and often unnoticed ways that she helped make me into the person I am today. I love you, Grandma, and I?m going to make you proud."