Janet Ellefson, 97
Janet Ellefson, 97, died Saturday, September 1, 2018.
Janet was born September 14, 1920, the ninth child of Rev. G.R. and Anna (Hake) Anderson, in Alexandria, Minn. She graduated from Central High School in 1938 and following her graduation, stayed at home to care for her ailing mother.
After her mother’s death, Janet moved to Minneapolis where she attended Minneapolis Business College and then worked for the New Brighton defense plant. In February 1943 she took the train to Louisiana and on February 25 married Harry Ellefson from Glenwood, Minn. at Camp Polk, where Harry was stationed with the U.S. Army.
After their marriage, they lived in Austin, Texas, and Virginia, before Harry was sent to Europe during World War II. At that time Janet returned to Alexandria with her daughter to live with her father. When Harry returned from the war, they lived in Glenwood, Minn. where Harry began working for the Soo Line Railroad.
Together they had six children and due to Harry’s work, lived in Fond du Lac, Wis., Thief River Falls, Minn., Enderlin, ND, Stevens Point, Marquette Mich., and Minneapolis, Minn. before settling permanently in Stevens Point in 1969.
The couple lived at their home on Lindbergh Ave. until Harry’s passing in 2012. Janet remained at her home until 2014 when she moved to an apartment at Atrium Senior Living at Riverview Lodge in Whiting.
Janet was an avid golfer and also enjoyed bicycling, swimming and playing bridge with friends. She was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the Rachel Circle. She loved watching and hearing about the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Janet was preceded in death by Harry, her husband of 69 years and her son John. She is survived by five children, Barbara (LeRoy) Johnson of Alexandria, Minn., Grant of Prescott, Wis., Tom (Patty) of McFarland, Wis., Jane (Jed) Malischke of Spooner, Wis. and Gary (Ellinor) of Gilbert, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Lois Ellefson of Cape Canaveral, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Matt (Rachel) Johnson, Stacy (Scott) Knudson, Shelly (Ryan) Hutchcroft, Carl (Jennifer) Ellefson and Ryder (Liz Brady) Ellefson, Dan (Amanda DeLano) Ellefson, Kate (Craig) Waldvogel, David (Mary) Ellefson, and Sam and Tilda Ellefson and 14 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Boston Funeral Home with Rev. Tim O’Brien officiating. Visitation will precede from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Burial will follow the service in Guardian Angel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that a donation be made to Heartland Hospice of Stevens Point in Janet’s memory or to the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Lodge for the care and compassion they have provided, as well as the care of Heartland Hospice over the past several months.