Janet Ann Kurnat

1945 - 2025

Janet Ann Kurnat, age 80, of Holly died October 31, 2025 at her home. She was born in Greenville on February 26, 1945, the daughter of Paul J. and Doris I. Allen Kurnat. Janet was a graduate of Greenville High School with the class of 1963. She was a teacher for 31 years at Brandon High School in Ortonville, as well as being a class sponsor and chaperoning many senior year trips there. She also took part in the Adult Education program for many years. Before retiring from BHS she started work at H&R Block in Fenton as a Tax Preparer, and continued working there for nearly 30 more years until her passing.

Janet was a free spirit if there ever was one. She was fiercely independent and determined. She lived life on her own terms, but those terms included love and compassion for others around her. She loved traveling and regularly traveled with her family and friends. She never let physical limitations keep her down and her zest for life was apparent. She was a true inspiration in the way she approached life with that vitality, hopefulness, and joy.

She had a heart for children, the disadvantaged and sick. She donated her time tirelessly working for the Community Christmas Toy Store that provides free toys for disadvantaged children at Christmas. This mission energized her and was a constant blessing year after year to thousands of children.

She never had children of her own, but her love for children was apparent at an early age. She was like a second mother to her two nephews and niece all their lives. She gave them treasured memories of summertimes full of fun - carnivals, swimming, drive-in movie nights, etc. There were many car rides in her Dodge Challenger convertible too. These rides always included listening to the '70s music which she loved so much and that they grew to love because of the memories they brought back. She was a huge part of what was an idyllic childhood for the three of them and she will forever be missed.

She also thought of her students at BHS as "surrogate" children. They brought joy to her heart and she treasured the gift and the honor of being able to teach and guide them. She made a positive impact on so many of her students' lives that would be carried on to future generations. Her impact was obvious and powerful. So many of them have kept in contact with her over the past nearly 60 years as a testament to that bond.

She was the type of friend that was lovingly involved in others' lives. She cared for them deeply, always faithfully there for them in their time of need as well as their time of joyful celebration. She had countless close friends throughout her life and her family would like to thank each and every one of them for the kindness, compassion, and love they showed to her over the years. If we could each take away these lessons from her, the world would truly be a better place. Fly free precious child of heaven.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Gary Evans of Gowen, her niece, Nancee (Anthony) Linton and great niece and nephews Brett and Justine of Indianapolis, IN, nephew Jeffrey (Michelle) Evans of Stanton, and great nieces and nephews Joshua of Minnesota, Cory of Sidney, Matthew of Greenville and Scott of Greenville, and great, great nieces and nephews Morgan, Benjamin and Annie of Stanton, and nephew Ryan Evans of Atlanta, GA. She was preceded in death by her only sister, Linda Louise Evans.

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 16 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Village Funeral Home in Ortonville. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Village Funeral Home with Deacon Ron Kenney of St. Mark's officiating. A private burial will be scheduled at West Montcalm Cemetery in Greenville at a later date. Donations may be made to the Community Christmas Toy Store charity through their website at brandonccts.org or by mailing a check to PO Box 733, Ortonville, MI 48462. This was an organization near and dear to Janet's heart where she volunteered joyfully for decades.