Janet Arlene Whaley

Janet Arlene (Peterson) Whaley, born on February 9, 1927, in Pope County, Minnesota, to Hans O. and Anna (Hillestad) Peterson, was the sixth of seven children. Janet's passion for education led her to study at the University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse where she met her future husband, Edwin Whaley. She began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse near Stoughton, WI. Janet and Ed married and began their life together in an apartment above her father’s tavern, welcoming their first child, Judy. Throughout Ed's career, their family moved from Wisconsin to Mankato, Minnesota, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Watertown, South Dakota, before finally settling in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1960. It was in Moorhead that Janet began teaching Kindergarten at Christ the King Lutheran Church, eventually returning to college at Moorhead State University in the early 1970s to complete her teaching degree. She went on to teach for several years beginning at the Moorhead State campus school, substitute teaching in Moorhead and finished her distinguished career at George Washington Elementary School in Moorhead, where she taught third grade for over 15 years.

Janet cherished time spent at Long Lake near Detroit Lakes, where she and Ed enjoyed camping for 44 years, forming many lasting friendships along the way. A devoted member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Moorhead, she participated in church circles for many years. As a proud Norwegian, Janet expressed her creativity through rosemaling, oil painting, sewing and was a wonderful cook (including great Swedish meatballs and krumkake). She was always up for friendly competition, whether it was a game of cards, cribbage, bingo and loved to watch her Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins... In 2015, Janet relocated to Riverview Place in Fargo, where she remained involved in community life and continued her daily activities. There, she met a dear friend, Henry LaBore, and they shared a loving marriage for a couple of years until his passing.

Janet leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, and dedication to education and community. She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.

She is survived by four children: Craig Whaley(Julie Sauter), Joan (Carl) Altenbernd, John (Mary) Whaley, and Linda (Bruce) Johnson; son in law, Paul (Jane) Hedin; grandchildren: Ryan (Jessica) Hedin, Stephanie (Tim Gross) Whiteis Gross, Jason (Sarah) Whaley, Jessica (Billie) Maez, Jennifer (Joey) Garcia, Tom Krag (Erica Frank), Christa (Kevin)Ackley, Michael Johnson, Miranda Johnson and Tyler Maez; great- grandchildren, Zachary (Mary) Hedin, Nicholas Whaley, Jaden Whaley, Makenna Whaley, Caleb Whaley, Katie Whaley, Harmony Whaley, Joey Garcia and Cali Garcia; great- great- grandchildren, Maverick Hedin, Mae Mae Whaley; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Anna Peterson; her husband, Edwin Whaley; her daughter, Judith Ann Hedin, infant son, David Whaley; grandson, Gregory Hedin; her second husband, Henry LaBore; her brothers, Herbert Peterson, Merle Peterson and Howard Peterson; sisters, Irene Larson and Violet Osland and their spouses.

Janet passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Sanford Hospital on Broadway in Fargo, ND at the age of 98 years.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, November 10th, 2025, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN with Rev. Michele Jenson officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday, November 10th.