Janet Leysen, age 81, of Lynd, Minnesota, died on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at her home with family at her side. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023, at Victory Christian Church in Balaton. A reception for attendees will follow at the church. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, at the Slayton Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Slayton, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Victory Christian Church in Balaton. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her celebration, on Friday at the church.
Janet Marilyn Raske was born on July 21, 1941, in Hendricks, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lester and Janette (Thompson) Raske. Janet grew up in White, South Dakota, where she was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. She attended school in White until her senior year when she transferred to Slayton, Minnesota, to live with her sister. She graduated in 1959 and worked at a local pharmacy while also singing and performing at local supper clubs with her sister.
Relocating to Minnesota resulted in her meeting Mr. Lee Leysen. Lee and Janet married on February 23, 1963, at the Tracy United Methodist Church. Janet and Lee made their home in Watertown, South Dakota, where she worked at the local bank before they moved to Elkton, South Dakota in 1965. Janet worked as a teacher’s aide and also stayed home, loving on her children as a homemaker and mother. In 1986 the family moved to Tracy, Minnesota, where Janet found work with Medtronic prior to her retirement. In the spring of 2015, Janet and Lee moved to their current home in Lynd.
Janet was a member of the Currie Presbyterian Church prior to her membership at Victory Church in Balaton, Minnesota. Janet was a woman who demonstrated her faith to family and friends. She had strong conservative values and was incredibly supportive to her family, especially when she became “Grandma Jan.” Janet enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles with her grandkids. Janet had an ability to put others before herself and always made you feel welcome in her home. In her early years, she enjoyed singing with her sister Connie and dancing with Lee at local dances. As she aged, she was content with word finds and weekly trips to church and Walmart.
Janet Leysen died on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at her home with family by her side. She had reached the age of 81 years, 9 months, and 1 day. Blessed be her memory.
She is survived by her husband, Lee Leysen of Lynd; 2 children, Monty (and Angela) Leysen of Russell, Mindy (and Brian) Knochenmus of Lynd; 14 grandchildren, Hunter Retzlaff, Logan (and Kevin) Blanksma, Jersey Leysen, Kenzie Fischer, Mauer Leysen, Gavin Fischer, Journey Leysen, Olivia (and Matthew) Cherry, Odessa Knochenmus, Owen Knochenmus, Oakley Knochenmus, Osiah Knochenmus, Ora Knochenmus, Ozak Knochenmus; 4 great-grandchildren and another on the way, Collins Blanksma, Henlee Blanksma, Elliae Cherry, Edison Cherry; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Janette Raske; an infant son; brother, Clifford Raske; and a sister, Connie Holstein.
Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933
Guest book, live stream link, and tribute wall available online at www.hamiltonfh.com.