Janet Faye Williams, 87, peacefully passed away on August 18, 2022 at Season’s Hospice in Rochester, MN. She was born on October 17, 1934 to Vida & Millard Hovelson in Osage, IA. She grew up in Clear Lake, IA. After graduation, she received her Associate Degree & took a teaching job in Huxley, IA. On June 1, 1954, she married Richard Williams & they moved to Clear Lake. Richard was transferred with Montgomery Wards which moved them many times: Eau Claire, Wis, Menomonie, Wis & finally settled in Rochester in 1961. She received her Bachelor Degree in Education from Winona State University in 1967 & taught at Hillside Elementary School in Rochester. In 1970, she received a Special Education teaching job with the Special Needs Elementary children in Bryon, MN. During that time, she received her Masters Degree in Education in 1975 & taught there till she retired in 1990. In 1978, they bought a Condo on the Gulf in Port Richey, FL in which she loved spending her time watching the dolphins & boats. After retirement, they moved there full time, until buying a Condo in Rochester where they split their time between the 2 places in order to be closer to family. She was a member of Good Shephard Lutheran Church & was active in Church choir, Church board, Ladies Aid, MEA & REA. They enjoyed traveling & in 1977 took a trip to Norway, Denmark & Sweden. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlework, crafts, writing & reading novels.
Janet is survived by her husband & 3 children: Joel (Carol) of Rochester, Jay (Jill) of Owatonna, & Wendy of St. Paul, 5 grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren, brother Eric (Mary), brother-in-law Richard McCullough along with other family & friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim, sister Jule, & sister-in-law Val.
We want to extend a special Thank-you to the Season’s Hospice staff for their loving care these past 5 weeks. A Thank-you to Rochester Cremation Services for their wonderful assistance.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Gramercy Park Activity Room: 1333 Arthur Ln NW Rochester, MN, Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 3-6pm. A private burial service will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston at a later date.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Janet may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Janet and Dick were our Meadow Park next door neighbors for a number of years.
They were delightful and friendly and we were so grateful to have them as neighbors.
We are so sorry to hear of Janet’s passing but hope her life was full of joy and that the family lives with all the memories of love and good times.