Janet Gauger

Janet Mae Gauger of Wheaton, MN passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025 after a short illness. With the help of Nick, Cindy, Jessie, her niece, Julie, and Hospice she was able to remain in her home. She passed peacefully with Cindy and Julie holding her hands as she left this world.

Janet was born on April 18, 1933 at Wheaton, MN to Alfred and Alice (Lundstrom) Winter. She attended school in Wheaton and graduated in 1951. After graduation she attended Gustavus for 2 years and then married Duane Gauger in 1953. Years later they divorced but remained good friends as she even made him an angel food cake every Saturday for many years. They had two children, Randy and Cindy. Besides being a fabulous mother, she worked hard on the farm taking care of the various farm animals. She was a very good seamstress making the school clothes for her daughter all the way through grade school. Janet made and sold Barbie clothes making enough money to buy a new couch. She started an upholstery business and ran that for many years. She directed, accompanied, and sang in the church choir and had a deep faith in God. She played golf, winning tournaments and bowled on three leagues, and was a member of the Nursing Home Board for many years. She loved watching Adam at motorcross racing, sparkly clothes, long earrings, wearing lots of jewelry, singing loudly, music – especially the John Philip Sousa marches, driving her big black truck with the custom racing stripes, dancing, painting, playing games on her computer and iPad, being with family and friends, her dogs, many cats, watching the squirrels, birds, chipmunks, deer, racoons that entered her yard, going to the lake, and going to Mike and Cindy’s for weekly dinners. She just loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Janet had many enjoyments in her life but there was nothing more important to her than her family - children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all her extended family. She loved them unconditionally no matter what they did. She was very generous to her family, friends, community, school, and even people she had never met. She simply enjoyed giving and helping people. She never judged anyone and was always ready to help if needed.

Janet loved going to her family’s concerts, sporting events, and any event that they were participating in. The last three years she sponsored the Annual Grandma Janet Golf Tournament for young golfers and when the tournament was over the kids would drive their golf carts over to her house and take a picture with her. This was a highlight for her.

She was so grateful to her grandson, Nick, for taking such good care of her in the last several years. She always told her family how lucky they were that he was here and that was so true. It was a group effort helping her remain at home which she did until the end.

Janet had a full and wonderful life and helped many people along the way. She marched to the beat of her own drummer and always said she was making memories for us. That was most certainly true and we will miss her dearly.

Janet is survived by two children: Randy (Linda) Gauger of Walden, NY; and Cindy (Mike) Blasing of Wheaton, MN; brother Don Winter of Waconia, MN; grandchildren: Nicholas Gauger of Wheaton, MN; Jessica (Adam) Wilson of Wheaton, MN; and Jennifer (Aaron) Julson of Sanford, FL; great-grandchildren: Nolan, Zoey and Piper Wilson of Wheaton, MN; and Zach, Nora and Levi Julson of Sanford, FL; aunt Muriel Winter of Rosholt, SD; sister-in-law Barb Gauger of Waseca, MN.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Matt Gauger; ex-husband Duane Gauger; sister-in-law Marion Winter; and two brothers-in-law: Ron Gauger and Dean Gauger; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025 at noon at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday morning starting at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Randy Gauger, Nick Gauger, Adam Wilson, Nolan Wilson, Aaron Julson, Zach Julson, Mike Blasing, Nora Julson, Levi Julson, Zoey Wilson and Piper Wilson.