Janet Werntz

On Friday, March 21, 2025, our dear Janet Werntz; wife, mother, grand-mother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, went home to be with Jesus. A graduate of Freeport High School, Janet left quite a legacy on the town and in the lives of all who knew her. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, on February 17th, 1950, Janet and her family moved to Hardin/Sidney, Ohio, where she did most of her grade school and Jr. high studies. Then in 1964, the Hansey family moved to Freeport, Illinois, where she eventually fell in love with Pretzel football player, and artist, Terry Werntz, who she was married to for 58 years, (minus five hours). Raised by Raymond and Bernice Hansey, owners of the Hansey Paint store in downtown Freeport, Janet was well known as she helped manage the family business. In addition to running Hansey’s, she served many years as the bookstore manager for Highland Community College. Her greatest joy has been being “Nana” to her 9 grandchildren; Cortney Alber Miller, Kyle Miller, Misha Werntz, Kimmie Fiske Werntz, Ruslan Werntz, Paige Toelke, Kolt Toelke, Sydney Toelke, and Domminick Alber, and her 5 great-grandchildren; Aiden Toelke, Henley Miller, Cohen Miller, Saylor Miller, and baby Miller number 4, still yet to arrive. She has also been a loving and devoted mother to her children; Scott Werntz, Laura Werntz Toelke, Kirk Toelke, Stacey Werntz Alber, Greg Alber, Lindsay Werntz, and Doshia Woods Werntz. Janet was blessed with her brothers, Denny, David and Doug Hansey, and her sisters Judy & Arlene Hansey, and Joyce Hansey Hunt. But the true love of her life has been her husband of 58 years, Terry Werntz. They met in High School and were married by the time she graduated. They were joined together by God to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they lived or went. Their marriage has been a marriage made for the generations. For many years, Terry was both Dakota High School and Freeport High School’s football coach and art teacher. Jan was always in the stands cheering Terry and the teams on over a period of five decades. She loved playing the Ukulele, and could often be heard strumming and singing through the windows of their condo. She also was a lover of God’s word and would teach children’s Sunday school and Bible classes over the years. She has been instrumental in laying the foundation for all her family walking close to the Lord. Janet has been a collaborator with her husband on many art pieces and children’s books. She was also a gifted interior decorator, and more recently, the designer of a new home that she and Terry were about to move into. She has been a lover of cats her entire life, especially her Russian Persian by the name of Chanelle. This remarkable woman of God has left a lasting legacy that will be felt for many generations to come. Her main desire in life was for people to love God passionately, and love others as they love God.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, at her home church, Crossroads Community Church, located at 1668 Crossroads Ln., Freeport, Il., with visitation from 9am to 11am, and a celebration memorial service at 11am. A lunch reception will be served for all guests following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor by making a donation to Friends Forever Humane Society.