Janette “Jan” Maahs died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. She was 87.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Janette Ione Blumke was born Aug. 25, 1935, in St. Cloud to Edward and Freda Blumke. She was baptized at her Grandmother Blumke’s home after the funeral of her father in 1935. She lived with her mother and stepfather for two years until his sudden death. From there she lived between her siblings and went to many little country schools. She also attended Zion Lutheran School in Green Isle Township along with St. John’s Lutheran Church School, where she was confirmed in 1949.
After graduating from Arlington High School, Jan moved to Minneapolis and worked for Hennepin County for 15 years. On February 11, 1955, she married Franklin Maahs. She also worked several secretarial jobs until she started selling real estate. She was passionate about gardening, serving her church, and studying the Bible. She was an active member of Gloria Dei in Minneapolis for 43 years, and she taught, sang in the choir, and sat on several boards. She served as a Stephen Minister for 2 years at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka. In her later years she took care of her sister Luella, and enjoyed attending Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven. “God has been with me throughout my life,” Jan said. “He has given me so much more than I could ever wish for, and now I go to be with Christ and I can thank Him in-person.”
Janette was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Franklin Maahs, her parents, stepfather, five great-grandchildren, and four siblings.
She is survived by her sons Scott (and Pat) Maahs, Brad (and Sherry) Maahs, and twins Keith (and Ivy) Maahs and Ken (and Karin) Maahs; grandchildren Jennifer (and Troy), Anthony (and Mara), Kjerstin (and Tanner), Hunter, Asher, and Parker; great-grandchildren Sydney (and Boe), Bridget, and Logan; and great-great-granddaughter Ellie Juliana.