Janet Gehrke

Janet Viola Gehrke (Swanson) passed away in her home August 5th, 2023. Janet was born to Kenneth and Evelyn Swanson July 13, 1949. Janet married Richard Gehrke, April 4, 1970.

Janet will be remembered for her kindness and generosity. Janet could often be found in the kitchen baking or in the dining room working on a sewing project. She was a talented seamstress including sewing many quilts. Janet most enjoyed spending time with her growing family. Janet was proud to welcome three great-grandchildren into the world.

Janet worked as a seamstress at Kid Duds and had a home daycare for many years. She was naturally talented with children. Janet’s job as a homemaker and holiday baking was what she enjoyed most.

Janet is survived by her children, Scott and Cyndie (Theis) Gehrke, Michele Gehrke, Randi Jo (Gehrke) and Mike Samuelson; grandchildren, Abigail Sheets and Ben Grave, Amber (Gehrke) and Zach Kennedy, Sarah (Gehrke) and Dylan Johnson, Richard and Katia (Beebe) Gehrke, Charlie Gehrke, Lillian Samuelson, Clara Samuelson, and Joseph Samuelson, as well as three great-grandchildren, Leland Grave, Carson Kennedy, and Elenor Jonson; sisters, Kathy (Swanson) Shorter, Janice (Swanson) and Ray Otto; brother, Art and Ellen Swanson; sisters-in-law, Karol Gehrke and Sue Swanson; brothers-in-law, Leo Gehrke and Dennis Pagel; and many nieces and nephews.
Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Gehrke; parents, Evelyn and Kenneth Swanson; sister, Dale Jean (Swanson) Pagel; brother, Henry Swanson; sisters-in-law, Gloria (Gehrke) Hanson and Bev Gehrke; and brothers-in-law, Bill Hanson and Richard Shorter.

We will celebrate Janet’s life on August 25, 2023, at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall in lower level of St. Ansgar’s Church following the service and burial at Cannon Falls Cemetery.