Darlene Joan Janovy

Northview~North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 (507) 388-2288 Darlene Joan Janovy, age 81, died Sunday, August 16 at Cottagewood memory care in Mankato after living for several years with Alzheimer's. Darlene was a teacher and principal in the Mankato school district, following her lifelong passion for children and education. Her warmth and kindness leaves many in our community with fond memories of "Mrs. Janovy." Darlene was born on June 14, 1934 in Nelson, Nebraska to E.E. and Wilma Murphy. She earned a B.A. in Education from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she met David L. Janovy. They were married in 1956 and began their life together in Fredricksburg, Virginia. Darlene taught elementary school while David was in the Marines and then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Darlene continued to teach while David attended graduate school. They moved to Mankato in 1968. Darlene was instrumental in starting and leading several early childhood programs in Mankato, including Christian Daycare Center, The Children's House, and Wilson Campus School. While teaching in Mankato, Darlene also went to school, earning Master's and Educational Specialist degrees from Minnesota State University Mankato. She then became a principal in the Mankato school district, first at Jefferson Elementary and then Hoover Elementary. She retired in 1998. In retirement, Darlene enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and dear friends (both in Mankato and in Palm Springs, where she and David wintered), reading to her grandchildren and giving them lots of hugs. Darlene is survived by her husband of 59 years, David; daughter, Lisa Keyes and her husband Corey of Atlanta; daughter, Jennifer Janovy and her husband Randy Meyer and their two children of Edina; and siblings Bill Murphy of Kansas, Phyllis Shapland of California and Nancy Lederer and her husband Dave of North Carolina, and their families. Friends are warmly invited to join in a celebration of Darlene's life on Monday, September 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m. (with brief program at 5:00 p.m.), at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota (224 Lamm St., Mankato). Memorials may be sent to the Children's Museum or the Alzheimer's Association