Janice Kay Schmidt

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, Minnesota 56003 507-388-2288 Janice Kay Schmidt November 25, 1946 - February 27, 2015 Mass of Christian Burial for Jan will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato with Father Paul van de Crommert, Celebrant. Jan had been a member of Holy Rosary since moving to North Mankato in 1972 except for the six years she lived away. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Northview - North Mankato Mortuary, with a Liturgical Wake Service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Aberdeen, S.D. on or about May 19, 2015. Jan's wishes were to be cremated. Jan passed away on February 27, 2015 at her home in North Mankato in the loving arms of her husband and surrounded by family. She fought her cancer valiantly and did not give up the hope of beating it until the very end. She will forever be in our memory. Jan was born on November 25, 1946 in Aberdeen, S.D. to Louis and Eileen Carda. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Northville, S.D. She attended school in Northville, graduating in 1964. She attended Aberdeen School of Commerce and worked at Feinstein's in Aberdeen until her marriage. She married Larry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen in 1972 and moved to Mankato, MN where Larry was employed. They lived in Mankato until 1980 when they moved to Brainerd, MN for three years, then Bismarck, ND for three years before returning to Mankato in 1986. She worked at several jobs in Mankato including the Catholic school system, the public school system and Mankato State University before retiring in 2008. Jan never lost the love of the farm where she grew up. She visited as often as possible making sure flowers were planted and meals were made. For a few years, she and Larry went to the farm in the spring to help her brother Tom with "lambing" and any other time she thought he might need help. It was also a place where she could spend time with her sister Mary Jane. After Larry retired, they bought a second home in Chamberlain, S.D. where she enjoyed fishing with Larry when the weather was nice and visiting with Tom and Andrea (Schmidt), but mostly enjoyed having another place where family could gather. Jan enjoyed gardening, especially flower gardening. She also liked crafts of all types. She had several projects yet to complete, but will have to start new ones in heaven. She was an excellent shopper and prided herself on getting every discount offered. She also liked golf, bowling, the MN Twins and decorating, but most of all she just enjoyed being with family and friends. Grateful for having shared Jan's life are her husband of 42 years, Larry, of Mankato, her daughter Heather (Kent) Vnuk and beloved grandson Reese Vanderwilt of Mound, MN and son Tavis (Alissa) of Owatonna, MN.; brother Tom Carda of Northville, S.D., sister Mary Jane (Milt) Kolb of Aberdeen, S.D., and sister Patty Heckathorn of Thousand Oaks, CA.; six brothers-in-law: Mike of Aberdeen; Bob (Mary) of Fargo, N.D.; Tom (Andrea) of Chamberlain, S.D.; Jim (Bonnie) of Eagan, MN; Steve of Boise, ID; and Bernie of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and sisters-in-law Sandy Tarbox and Pat Schmidt both of Huron, S.D.; as well as many nieces and nephews. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Eileen, brother Jim, sister-in-law Judi Schmidt, and brother-in-law Ty Heckathorn. Jan's family extends deep gratitude to the Mayo doctors, nurses and staff, especially Drs. Ranginwala, Smith, and Ingram who provided kindness and compassion during her illness. Jan chose to fight the disease until the end and the medical team did all they could to support her in the battle. Also, we express our gratitude to her many wonderful friends who visited, especially dear friend Jeannie Saffert, who sat with her for long hours until the end. And lastly, but surely not least, Larry is deeply grateful to his sister Sandy who took extended time off to assist him in Jan's final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jan's name are preferred for Holy Rosary Church or an organization of the donor's choice. Northview - North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Friends can sign her online guestbook at www.mankatomortuary.com.