Janet Elizabeth Kral

Janet E. Kral, age 79 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died at her home on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye with Parish Prayers at 3:45 pm. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – North Entrance. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11:00 am and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Craig Timmerman. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Janet Elizabeth (Cunningham) Kral, the daughter of Russell and Louise (Olds) Cunningham, was born on March 12, 1947, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. She attended country school through the 6th grade and then attended Sleepy Eye Public School, graduating in 1965. Following high school, Janet furthered her education at Minneapolis Fairview Hospital in the nursing program. Upon realizing that nursing wasn’t her passion she worked at Loretto Hospital in New Ulm where she studied X-Ray technology and specialized in mammography.

Janet met her soulmate, Linus “Linnie” Kral, at a dance and they were married on June 5, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. They were blessed with two children and raised their family on their farm in Stark Township. Janet and Linnie had a true partnership in all aspects of life until his passing in December 2024.

Before starting their family, Janet worked at Fritsche Clinic in New Ulm from 1968 until 1972. She returned to the workforce in 1996, working at New Ulm Medical Center until her retirement in 2013. The years she was home raising her children and helping Linnie on the farm were the most precious.

Janet was a gifted musician and spent many years as a pianist and organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She shared her love of music with Linnie, who played the concertina, and together they gave back to the community, bringing musical joy to a multitude of events and facilities.

In addition to music, Janet enjoyed spending her time creating a beautiful home, complete with landscaping, decorating, and flower gardening, for her family and friends to enjoy. She loved to read and was always ready to help others. Her grandchildren and great granddaughter were her world, and she cherished spending time with them. Janet loved her family beyond measure and will be profoundly missed.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Sandi (Corey) Koop; son, Shaun (Shannon) Kral; grandchildren, Casey Koop, Calli Koop, Blake (Kayla) Kral, Jayda Kral, Lexi Kral, and Brecklyn Kral; great-granddaughter, Linnie Kral; sisters, Judy Weicherding (Dennis Moll), Jill (Jim) Rude, and Jeri (Jim) Hanson; brother-in-law, Ray Jr. (Susie) Kral; sister-in-law, Eileen Kral; eleven nephews; five nieces; and other loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Linus Kral; parents, Russell and Louise Cunningham; parents-in-law, Ray Sr. & Lorretta Kral; brothers-in-law, Marvin Kral and Frederick Juni; former brother-in-law, Patrick Weicherding; sister-in-law, Phyllis Juni; and niece, Jan Schilling.