Jana Cornish

Jana Lois (Brekke) Cornish age 96, of North Mankato, MN died on April 17, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church-Madelia, on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

The clergy will be Rev. Janet Adams. Interment will be at Vernon Center Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.

Jana Lois (Brekke) Cornish was born to John O. and Hilda Dorthea (Madson) Brekke on February 3rd, 1928 in Linden Twp, MN.  She attended country school at Linden Twp and graduated from Madelia High School in 1945.  She attended Mankato Teachers College and later taught school at Nobles Country School and that is where Jana met Gordon. Jana married Gordon Claire Cornish on April 24, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church Madelia. The couple moved to Ceresco Twp, rural Vernon Center, where they farmed the family farm and raised their 5 children.

Jana loved entertaining guests for lunches, dinners and holidays.  She set a beautiful table and served fabulous meals.  Jana was an avid gardener and preserved many jars of goodies.  Jana had a passion for sewing, but she perfected the art of cross-stitch and Hardanger embroidery.  She was "The Queen of Hardanger".  Jana enjoyed her lifestyle and friends until her last days.

Jana is survived by her children, Linda Cornish, Stephen (Elaine) Cornish, Barbara (Marvin) Fleming, Sarah (Greg) Magnuson, Ronald (Debbie) Cornish; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Arlene Brekke.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Cornish; sisters, Marion (Einar) Jorgenson, Marlyss Brekke, Helen (Lloyd) Smith; brother, John Brekke, and grandson, Craig Mountain.