Janet A. Quandt

The Mass of Christian Burial for Janet Quandt, 81, of Stewartville,MN will be at 11:00 AM on Monday October 5, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. Mrs. Quandt entered into eternal life on Wednesday September  30, 2020 surrounded by family at her home, following an illness with cancer.                               

Janet A. Nelson was born on April 27, 1939 in Olmsted County, MN to Ervin “Bud” and Ruth (O’Connell) Nelson.  Janet grew up in Simpson,MN, where she attended school, graduating from Lourdes H.S. in  Rochester, MN in 1957. Janet was married on October 11, 1958 at St. Bridgets Catholic Church in Simpson to Raymond Quandt.  Following their marriage the couple lived in rural Grand Meadow,MN where they continued operating the Quandt Family farm, raised their 9 children and farmed together for over 67 years. They  moved to Stewartville in 1988 where they have continued to make their home. Janet was a farmwife and homemaker and was also employed at Piggly Wiggly in Rochester and  at Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester for 20 years.  Ray was a lifelong farmer and sales representative for several seed companies.  Janet was a longtime  member of St. Bernard’s, where she dedicated many volunteer hours including  - teaching religious education and with Fr. Paul Halloran, leading the Rural Life program for the SE MN region. She volunteered at Stewartville Public Schools as a room mom, was a 4-H leader, and was district secretary with the  local MN Chapter of the NFO - National Farmers Organization.  The Quandt Family Farms were recognized by the MN State Soil and Conservation Board as the conservation farm family of the year  in 1977 . Janet loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and children.  She followed the grandchildren to their sporting and other events and loved playing games and teaching all of them how to play 500, aggravation and other board games.  She enjoyed camping, fishing and watching the MN Twins and Vikings. Ray and Janet spent winters in Texas for the past 18 years where they made many new friends.  Janet was an awesome cook and baker and passed on the tradition to all of her kids.  Many remember her fabulous home baked caramel rolls and sweet rolls she served after Sunday Mass. She made the best Christmas cookies!                 

Janet is survived by her husband - Raymond; 4 daughters - Pam (Matt) Harmon of Blaine,MN;  Valerie (Mike) Bleifus of Simpson, MN; Natalie (Scott) Norman of Racine,MN and Annette (Dan) Fritz of Wanamingo,MN; 4 sons -Mike (Kathy) of Stewartville, MN; Tyler of Red Wing, MN; Steve (Jennifer) of Racine, MN and Chad (Lori) of Oronoco,MN;- 27 grandchildren and  9 great grandchildren; 2 brothers - Dave (Carole) Nelson  and Cyril “Cy” (Maxine) Nelson both of Rochester; sister-in-law - Violet Springer of Stewartville; daughter-in-law - Barbra Finhart of rural Grand Meadow and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her oldest son - Terry Quandt, daughter-in-law Peggy (Hebig) Quandt, parents Ruth and Ervin “Bud” Nelson, brother - John Nelson, mother and father-in-law  -Elmer and Alice Quandt, 2 sisters-in-law, and 3 brothers-in-law.

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday October 4, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Mask and safe social distancing protocols will be in place. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Janet are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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