Janet "Jan" Shock

Janet "Jan" (Paschke) Shock

Jan (Paschke) Shock, age 93, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Oak Hill Assisted Living.

Jan was born in North Dakota to Arthur and Hazel Paschke. Her family soon moved and became lifelong residents of Grand Rapids. She attended and graduated from Grand Rapids Senior High in 1950. While in high school she formed a female a cappella singing group called the "Teen Tone Trio" with 3 of her classmates and performed for the local radio station and school functions. Jan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of MN, Minneapolis. While attending the U of M she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority, the University Choir, and was on the Synchronized Swimming Team. Later in life she attended graduate school courses at Bemidji State University receiving Certifications in Music Education.

Following her college graduation, Jan pursued her career in music by teaching private piano and voice lessons in her Music Studio. Throughout her life, Jan had a passion for music and teaching as she taught students from ages 6 to 80 years old. Additionally, Jan's outgoing personality and musical talents brought her success in a number of creative career choices. In the 1980's, she was a radio announcer at KOZY Radio where she created her own weekly Talk Show titled "Around Town With Jan". She also managed "Jeri's Fashions" dress shop in Grand Rapids and substitute taught in the Grand Rapids and Coleraine School Districts, and earned her Realtor's license while continuing to maintain her Music Studio. She later became employed by the St. Louis County School District where she directed the music program; taught choir, band and gave private lessons for students from 1st grade up to 12th grade. Jan loved children and sharing the joy of music with them. She especially enjoyed preparing her students for their seasonal music concerts and student competitions.

Jan loved being of faithful service to the Community Presbyterian Church for 63 years. She served as their Music and Choir Director in earlier years, was a Choir Member, and later was a Church Elder. She was a longstanding member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Gardening Club, Bridge Clubs, and volunteered at the Gift Shop at the Grand Rapids Hospital. Jan had a love for nature and all animals. She enjoyed hiking in the Mountains of Glacier National Park and local hiking trails, canoeing , cross country skiing, boating on Pokegama Lake with family and friends, flower gardening, Bridge Club, and bicycling into her 70's.

Jan raised her three daughters in Grand Rapids; Debra Ewens of Grand Rapids, Lori (David) Anderson of Eden Prairie, and Barb Swenson (Syd Ewens) of Pismo Beach, CA and Grand Rapids. She was a loving grandmother to Leslie Ewens (James Kichak) of Minneapolis; Martin Ewens of Manhattan, NY; Chase Anderson of Vallejo, CA and Hannah Anderson of Vermont and had two great grandchildren Isla and Louis Kichak. She was a loving Aunt to Paul Hedman (Amy Mathre) of Park City, UT, and Sally (Fred) Lawless, and to her great nieces Katherine Lawless, Minneapolis and Ann Lawless of Shoreview, MN. Jan is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Carol Hedman.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Community Presbyterian Church, with Visitation beginning at 10:00 AM, followed by an 11:00 AM Memorial Service. Lay Pastor Mary Shideler will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. A private burial at Itasca Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jan's memory may be made to the Fund for Women or the Katherine T. Dodge Fund for the Arts at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. Checks can be made payable to GRAF and mailed to 350 NW 1st Ave., Suite E. Grand Rapids, MN 55744 or gifts may be made online at https://gracf.org/donate/

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.