Janet Kay Scherbart

The funeral service for Janet Scherbart, 78, of Marshall, formerly of Balaton, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Skandia Evangelical Free Church in Balaton.   Visitation will be Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Balaton.  Visitation will continue on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Skandia Evangelical Free Church.  Interment will follow the service at the church cemetery in Balaton.  A recording of the service will be available at www.horvathfuneralservice.com

Janet Kay Widman was born on June 9, 1945, in Great Bend, KS, to Gail and Helen (Groth) Widman. She grew up and attended school in Storm Lake, IA; Reading, MN; and Balaton, MN.

Much of Janet’s life was dedicated to children – both her own and those she worked with in her career and at church. When her daughters were young, Janet stayed at home to raise them and work on the Scherbart farm south of Balaton. She maintained an extensive garden, canned, cooked, baked, and sewed. She later sold Avon. As her daughters grew older, Janet began working at the Balaton School as Community Education Director. She later worked as a paraprofessional, a guardian ad litem, at the Balaton and Tracy newspapers, and at Project Discovery in Marshall.

Janet had many gifts, which she shared with all who knew her. She was an excellent cook and baker, even though her daughters always teased her for serving “burnt roast” on Sundays because she visited too long after church. For years, she made and sold cakes for graduations, birthdays, and other celebrations. She took pride in baking cakes for her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays.

Janet was a devoted member of Skandia Evangelical Free Church. In 1993, she went on a mission trip to Russia along with several other members of the church. Janet was a long-time volunteer for Awana, always picking up a van-load of kids and listening to the children’s memorized Bible verses. She served the church in many other ways as well, including serving on various committees, teaching Bible school, and frequently opening her home to visiting speakers and missionaries.

In 2010, Janet moved into Balaton, and her oldest grandson, Seth, moved to the Scherbart farm. Janet spent nearly nine years at her house in Balaton. She was a Master Gardener and started a new garden at her home in town. She also volunteered at the Colonial Manor and at the Balaton History Center. She was active in Beginning Experience and loved going dancing with and hosting parties for the friends she made there.

Other lifelong enjoyments for Janet were playing piano, singing, traveling, and reading.

In 2019, Janet moved to Marshall. She lived at Boulder Creek Assisted Living for three years, and then moved to Morningside Heights in the fall of 2022. Even though dementia robbed Janet of much during her later years, several aspects of her personality shone through – particularly her sense of humor and her love of music. She greeted all visitors with, “I’m so glad you’re here” and a big hug.

Janet died on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Morningside Heights Care Center at the age of 78 years, 11 months, and 21 days.

Janet is survived by her daughters: Kelley (Todd) Swan of Balaton; Nancy Weyer of Marshall; Mary (Bruce) DeGroat of Balaton; Valerie (Tim) Quist of Tracy; and bonus daughter Meri (Heikki) Nurmilaakso of Espoo, Finland, who spent a year with the family as an exchange student. Janet was blessed with seven grandchildren: Seth (Ashley) Swan; Alec (Meredith) Swan; Kellan (Whitney) Weyer; Molly Weyer (Wade Piper); Sara DeGroat (Branton Wibstad); Morgan DeGroat (Spencer Halland); and Jane Quist; four great-grandchildren: Emma, Avery, Ruby, and Wyatt Swan; and many bonus grandchildren who she encouraged to call her “Grandma Jan.” She is also survived by her brother Robert (Gail) Widman; sister Beverly (Denis) Wolff; brother Russell (Kathy) Widman; brother-in-law Darrell Sanderson; sister-in-law Audrey (Bill) Stearns; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Gail Widman; sister, Joyce Sanderson; and mother- and father-in-law Val and Alma Scherbart.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Harbor (hopeharbormn.org).