Janis Gustafson

The Most Kind and Courageous Soul bounded into Heaven on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. 

Janis Joy Gustafson was known and loved by many for her compassion, tenderness and fervent desire for people to know and fall in love with Jesus Christ. 

A strong Scandinavian "Viking" in heritage, she did not keep her passions hidden in her heart, but boldly and tirelessly put them on display. Whether it was visiting those in nursing homes, sheltering countless people, creating puppet shows for youth groups or spending hours encouraging others, and on and on. 

It is no wonder that her middle name was Joy because that is what she spread wherever she went.

Jan was the ultimate creative and fun-loving Mom to her eight kids growing up - pursuing endless adventures, hobbies, crafts and wonder. She had a deep affection for animals and nature and invited everyone she came across to come and experience the thrills on the horse farms the family lived on.

The stories of her many pets and kids and their antics are warming to the heart - from the dogs, cats, birds, horses, burros, skunks, raccoons and the ones we don't even know about! She used the pets (and her kids) to bless others and her children learned many life lessons through them. 

No one was a stranger that set foot upon her door and the hospitality and servants heart that encompassed her life were woven into the fabric of her soul.

She was highly articulate with her personality and creative as an artist; painting and drawing, with woodcarving as her last endeavor - making walking sticks for family and friends. She surrounded herself with inspiration daily and sought to embrace each day with flavor and vitality. 

She lived as humbly as her heart was - loving deeply and willfully sacrificed for others. Jan was the essence of Love as spoken in Romans 12:12,13, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice Hospitality". 

Her children know her to be faithful, affectionate, forthright and giving! She loved Jesus and others and that is the legacy she left.

Janis was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 21, 1937 and is preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Joy Gustafson of Ada, MN as well as her daughter Holly Hess and sister Vicki Betts. Janis is survived by her brother Guy Gustafson and sister Kathy Karr as well as her daughters Lisa (Brian) White of Traverse City, MI, Paris (Bill) Broker of Big Lake, Tricia (Dale) Cramer of Plymouth, IN and sons Scott Hess of Pine River, Jeff Hess of Pequot Lakes, Chris (and Sheri) Hess of Mishawaka, IN and Andy (and Sascha) Hess of Pine River. She also has 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A service to celebrate the life of Jan will be held in the near future.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.