In Memory of Janet
Neidt Björling, and all our loved ones
who've
suffered from the scourge of cancer, we
rededicate ourselves to
conquer this dread disease.
In the meantime we celebrate Janet's life of
positive generosity, and
in particular all that she and Anders, and
their family, have done tosupport the Jussi Björling Society-USA.
Of all of Jussi's
recordings, her favorite was his recording
of Söderman's "Kung Heimer och Aslög" and we
offer that here,
in tribute to her life
dedicated to Art and Family.
Anders Björling informs us with immense
sadness and regret that his
wife Janet passed away on the evening of
Friday, January 4. She was
conscious until nearly the very end, well
aware of her condition, and
died peacefully, surrounded by her large and
loving family.
After a six year illness, which seemed to
have been successfully
controlled, her condition deteriorated last
Fall when the original
therapies lost their effectiveness. She
fought long and hard, and the
length and amazing good humor of that fight
are tributes to her strength
and resiliency----as well as the strength
she drew from her family----and
the medical care and support she received.
Her determination to make the
best of her situation, her warmth and
generosity of spirit, were shared with
everyone who had contact with her; Janet
remained herself, loving wife,
mother, grandmother and friend, until the
very end of her life.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday,
January 12, in the Christ Chapel of
Gustavus Adolphus College. She will be
interred in St. Peter, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family would
appreciate if donations could be made
in Janet's name to:
Andrea's Cancer Center at Immanuel St.
Joseph's Hospital
ISJ Foundation
P.O. Box 8673
Mankato, MN 56002
Born November 20, 1934 to Louise and Pete
Neidt in Des Moines, Iowa. Died January 4,
2008 in her home in St. Peter, Minnesota,
surrounded by her family. Survived by her
husband of nearly 50 years, Anders;
daughters Susie (Steve) Heim, Jenny, and
Lisa (Ian) Grant; 5 grandsons, Peter, Erik,
Charlie, Connor, and Alexander; brothers
Ross, Steve (Dori), Peter, and sister Susan
(Dennis) Chamney.
Janet grew up in Des Moines and Waterloo,
Iowa. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus
College in 1958. She met Anders, the love of
her life, at Gustavus. It was truly a love
at first sight. On campus the inseparable
couple was referred to as Janders. She and
Anders were married shortly after their
graduation. They moved to Anders' homeland
of Sweden where they lived for four years.
They moved back and settled in St. Peter.
Jan was the owner and manager of Swedish
Kontur Imports for 45 years, a business that
evolved out of the Bjorlings' trips to
Sweden. The business grew from bringing back
items for friends, to an operation in the
Bjorling garage, to a shop in downtown St.
Peter. The business has been successful due
to Jan's taste in selecting inventory, a bit
of business savvy, and especially a whole
lot of care for her customers. Over the
years many became Jan's good friends.
Jan was a kind, caring person, who had a
remarkable ability to see the best in
everyone and everything. She had a clever
sense of humor, which she managed to keep to
the very end. She was a voracious reader,
and a lover of crossword puzzles, rarely
leaving one unfinished. Her greatest love
was her family. She will be dearly missed by
all.
Funeral service is 10:30 am on Saturday,
January 12 at Christ Chapel, Gustavus
Adolphus College. Visitation is on January
11 from 4-7 pm at St. Peter Funeral Home �
Klein Chapel. Memorials preferred to the
Andreas Cancer Center at Immanuel St.
Joseph's Hospital, ISJ Foundation, PO Box
8673, Mankato, MN 56002-8673.
To send condolence to family,
click here.
