Janet Helen Strobel

Janet Helen Strobel, age 93, of Mankato, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 at The Pillars of Mankato.

Janet was born in Minneapolis on December 11, 1932 to Kenneth and Ruth (Terrio) McKee. She was the middle child with an older and younger sister. She attended Fulton Elementary School and Southwest High School in Minneapolis. After high school, she went to college and completed RN nurses training at Hennepin County Hospital. Jan met the love of her life, Claire, while working at the hospital. They married on October 8, 1955 and began their life together in Minneapolis. In November 1956, their first son, Michael, was born. At that time, she stopped working to begin raising the family. Two daughters, Susan (1958) and Lisa (1960) were born in Minneapolis before Claire took a position as a surgeon in Mankato. They moved to Mankato where fourth child, Greg (1962) was born. With four children in tow, Jan and Claire decided to move the family to rural Mapleton (close to Beauford) and became part of the Mapleton community.

Life on the farm led to raising golden retrievers, black angus cattle, horses, ducks, chickens, and several beloved cats. She loved animals and had names for all as they were part of the family. In 1967, fifth child, Randy, was born, and in 1973, Amy arrived completing the family at number six. Later, they ventured into the hog business with their son, Greg. As they raised their children, they enjoyed showing cattle, pigs, horses, and dogs.

In their later years, they loved to travel throughout the United States and Canada visiting national parks and enjoying scenery. They spent winters in Surprise, AZ for many years. She enjoyed hosting RV rallies with friends, family gatherings, Red Hat ladies’ group, playing games, volunteering at Claire’s many musical performances in both AZ and Mankato, and patronizing casinos. She truly lived life to the fullest and her greatest joy was being around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jan and Claire were married 63 years until he passed in 2018.

Jan is survived by her children, Michael (Shelley) Strobel of Northfield, Susan (Todd) Schneider of Mapleton, Lisa (Roger) Gleisner of Chandler, AZ, Gregory (Robin) Strobel of Pemberton, Randy (Michelle) Strobel of Plymouth, and Amy Brandemuehl of Lancaster, WI; 18 grandchildren, Jenny (Ryan) Hendrickson, Andy (Jen) Strobel, Kristen Strobel, Chelsea (Brandon) Hentkowski, Mitchell Schneider, Caitlin (John Jensen) Schneider, McKinley Schneider, Nick (Bianca Kahlenberg) Gleisner, Trevor (Kelsey) Gleisner, Gunnar (Karah Kingsbury) Gleisner, Ryan (Sarah) Strobel, Kenny (Sarah) Strobel, Matthew (Bridgett) Strobel, Nathan Strobel, Adam Strobel, David (Keegan) Brandemuehl, Alexis Brandemuehl, and Christopher Brandemuehl; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Claire; son-in-law, Todd Brandemuehl; grandson, Jacob Strobel; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley (Bud) Denk and Mary Lou (Gordy) Johnson.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/mnnd).

Celebration of Jan’s life will be held on June 6, 2026 at SKY One Eleven, 111 S 2nd St. 7th floor, Mankato MN 56001 from 1:00 to 4:00pm.