Janet A. (Otto) Wieman

Janet Wieman, 87, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2018, at Oak Terrace Retirement Community, Gaylord, Minnesota. Janet's family was with her in her final hours. Janet Ann Wieman was born December 30, 1930 in Gaylord, Minnesota to Henry B. (Casey) and Viola (Mueller) Otto. She was baptized on January 25, 1931 by Pastor William Uhrich at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gaylord. She was confirmed by Rev. George Matthiae at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on April 2, 1944. Janet graduated from Gaylord High School on May 28, 1948. While in high school, Janet participated in drama and played violin in the orchestra and bass drum in the marching band. Janet's first job was as a bookkeeper at Nesvig Equipment Company in Gaylord, where she met the love of her life, Earl. Janet married Earl E. Wieman on February 17, 1950 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. George Matthiae officiating. Janet and Earl raised five children and farmed the Wieman family farm in Dryden Township as true partners. High Island Farm bred and sold registered Guernseys, then Holsteins and German Shepherd dogs. Janet loved horses her entire life and shared her love of horses with her children. Janet had a knack for sewing and often sewed dresses for herself and her daughters. She was a champion at mending just about anything. Once the kids were older, Janet became a paraprofessional for a special needs child in Arlington Elementary School. After Janet and Earl traveled to Mazatlán, Mexico, Janet became interested in learning Spanish. She attended two years of Spanish classes at Arlington-Green Isle High School. In 1979, she became the Immigrant Education Coordinator for Arlington-Green Isle School District, retiring in 1992. Janet was a Charter Member of the National Association of Migrant Educators. Janet and Earl were heavily involved and recognized as adult leaders in the Sibley County 4-H program. Janet was a member of Minnesota Women for Agriculture, serving as both district secretary and treasurer. She appeared before the Minnesota House of Representatives regarding farm issues and testified at a U. S. Congressional Subcommittee hearing on dairy referendums. Since 1950, Janet was a member of Arlington United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Evening Circle and served the church as a Sunday School teacher and a member of numerous committees. Janet and Earl loved to travel, making annual trips to Ft. Worth, Texas to visit relatives and attend the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Later, they became "secret flyers", traveling and rating airlines and hotels. Janet enjoyed making arts and crafts. She was an avid photographer, winning awards at the Sibley County Fair and was a freelance photographer for The Land magazine. Janet will be remembered as always ready to entertain with food and graciousness at a moment's notice. She loved to garden and can fresh fruits and vegetables. Her family was her treasure and she enjoyed every moment spent with them. Janet is survived by her children Carl (Denise) Wieman of Owatonna, Minnesota; Allen (Heidi) Wieman of Arlington; Susan Lance (Steve Rahn) of Peterson, Minnesota; Sharon (Keith) Buckley of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Lee (Laurie) Wieman of Arlington; grandchildren Matt and Dan Wieman, Mark (Jamie) Wieman, Ben Wieman, Jeff (Jarica) Peterson, Nicole Lance (Ryan Peterson), Amanda (Ben) Baumgartner, Amy Buckley, Aspen (Ryan) Arbuckle, Andy Hage, Jason (Jennifer) Lance, Jeremy (Kim) Lance; and 14 great-grandchildren. Janet is also survived by her sister, Marion Anderson; brothers-in-law Harold Root and Robert (Barb) Wieman; sisters-in-law Marvel Wieman and Marilyn Witty; and nieces and nephews. Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl, in 2014; parents Henry and Viola Otto; parents-in-law Walter and Amy Wieman; sisters Violet Otto and Ruth Root; brother Henry Otto; son-in-law Dick Lance; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Arlington United Methodist Church, Arlington, Minnesota. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the church before the service. Pastor Eli Somers will officiate. As her last act of giving, Janet donated her body to the Mayo Clinic. The family requests memorials to: Anatomical Services, Stabile Building 9, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Make checks payable to Mayo Clinic and in the memo put Janet A. Wieman.

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