Sylvia Mae Janzen

Sylvia Mae Janzen, age 90 of Darfur, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at Laurel's Peak in Mankato surrounded by her loving family. Sylvia was born May 10, 1927, in Wheaton, MN to Feigh and Grace (Ware) Jennings and spent her first 5 years in a 1-room school, then graduated from Washburn High School in Bloomington in 1945. After high school she went to Nurse's Training School for 2 years. She was united in marriage to Oliver Janzen on May 30, 1947, in Brainerd. To this union were born 4 boys and 1 girls. The couple returned to Darfur in 1949 where they lived and farmed together until retirement. Sylvia was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Darfur and was active in several committees. The couple wintered in Arizona and Oliver passed away in 1998 after 50+ years of marriage. Sylvia taught 4-H sewing and many sewing classes when in Arizona. She was a talented seamstress and sewed many wedding dresses. Quilting and crocheting were also among her many talents. Her passion for sewing led her to use embroidery machines to create beautiful greeting cards and ornaments which she joyfully distributed to everyone in her life. For the past several years she created colorful artwork which is still on display in people's homes and businesses. Her determination made her a survivor of Graves Disease at age 49, breast cancer at age 54, and open-heart surgery at age 73. At the age of 90, she celebrated a wonderful birthday party with over 100 of her family and friends in attendance. Sylvia loved to travel and she will be remembered for her charming wit, personality, kindness and compassion. She is survived by her daughter Lyn Bockert and her friend Tony Albanito of St. Paul; sons- Phillip Janzen and wife Sandra of Mankato, Wayne Janzen and wife Pamela of Hastings, David Janzen and wife Lori of Rush City, and Gary Janzen of Darfur; sisters- Patricia McCallum and husband William of St. Paul, and Kathleen Greenhouse and husband Don of Chautauqua, NY; 8 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband of over 50 years Oliver. The family would like to thank the staff at Primrose, Laurel's Peak, and St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care and thoughtfulness. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, December 14, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, December 15, 2017 St. John's Lutheran Church-Darfur HIGHWAY 30 & Adrian St Darfur, Minnesota, United States 56022 Service Information 11:00 am Friday, December 15, 2017 St. John's Lutheran Church-Darfur HIGHWAY 30 & Adrian St Darfur, Minnesota, United States 56022 Interment 11:30 am Friday, December 15, 2017 St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Darfur 1/2 mile west of Darfur on Hwy 30 Darfur, Minnesota, United States 56022 Luncheon Luncheon to follow interment at the church.