Eileen Janssen Obituary
Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church (All Saints Lutheran), 8100 Belden Blvd. S, Cottage Grove, MN with a one-hour visitation prior to the service at church. A luncheon will follow the service.
Eileen was born on October 26, 1932 to Fred and Jessie Johnson in Withee, Wisconsin. The family, including her older brother, Fred lived on a small farm in Withee. Mom attended Eau Claire Teachers College where she received her two year teaching certification. She taught K-8 grade in a one room school house. She is now in heaven in the arms of our father, Richard "Dick" Calkins and surrounded by all the family and friends who preceded her. It was the love that she had for her family that compelled her every day which made her such an incredible Mom and Granny-Nanny to all of her precious grandchildren. In recent years, her family has been praying for her comfort and release unto heaven.
Eileen enjoyed keeping herself busy whether it was sewing projects, square dancing or playing cards. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed traveling to various places. Eileen was always very active at Zion Lutheran Church in which she was a charter member for 60 years and sang in the choir for over 35 years.
Eileen is survived by her children Jeanne (Cliff) Lewis, Marilyn (Larry) Fredin, Kathleen Rodgers and Mark (Cynthia) Calkins; grandchildren Chad (Jess) Lewis, Brad (Mandy) Lewis, Katy (Brent) Bauer, Lindsey (Jason) Waldron, Rebecca (Austin) Evertse, Christine (James) Oak, Lori (Chris) Rux, Andrew (Brooke) Knopf, Abigail (Ryan) Knopf-Smith, Rowan (Valerie Ingram) Calkins and Shannon Calkins; great-grandchildren Sunshyne, Parker, Evan, Brock, Ciara, Briella, Elaina, Brennan, Astra, Sydnee, Hazel, Claire, Bennett, Sonny, Sophie, Wesley, Kylie, Caleb (Aaliyah), Tarina, Morgan and Carter; great-great-grandchildren Everett and Isabella as well as many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands Richard Calkins and James Janssen; brother Fred (Audrey) Johnson; son-in-law Jack Rodgers and former son-in-law W. Todd Knopf.
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