Janet Arleen Las

Bangor, WI—

Janet Arleen (Wier) Las, 85, died Monday, January 27, 2025, at the rural home of eldest son, Matt, where she had been residing with her husband, Bernard, since April of 2023.

Janet was born February 3, 1939, in Galesville, WI, to Lloyd and Amanda (Brenengen) Wier. She grew up on the family farm in rural Galesville, picking apples and vegetables both on their own farm and on neighbors’, and helping with other farm work, such as milking cows, catching chickens, haying, gardening. Upon graduation from Gale Ettrick High School in 1957, she helped on the family farm, babysat for various families, and worked in various factories in the Galesville area and in Winona, MN, including the Winona Knitting Mills. While residing with her sister Sondra in Winona, Janet met Bernard in 1962 at the Red Men’s Club, one of the places she would go dancing with her sister, friends, and coworkers.

They married in St. Charles, MN, at the Catholic church on October 12, 1963, and lived for their first 6 years in the “old house” on Bernie’s parents’ farm in rural Dover, MN, near Saratoga. Afterward, they rented a house near Troy, MN, for about a half year before moving in 1970 to a farm on Stinson Ridge in rural Houston, MN, near Ridgeway. They raised beef cattle and later sold firewood and timber on this farm in addition to Bernie’s main job as a logger. After 37 years on this farm, they sold it and moved in 2008 to a house in La Crescent, MN. With both Janet and Bernie suffering from dementia, they were moved to Matt’s family’s house in 2023.

Growing up on a farm one of twelve kids, the second oldest child, oldest girl, Janet was a leader in her family, always looking out for her younger siblings. She enjoyed gardening (both flowers and vegetables), cooking, baking, canning, walking, sewing, dancing, singing, reading, and a bit of drawing. Johnny Cash, Andy Williams, Merle Haggard, the Bellamy Brothers, Elvis, and George Jones, and many others were the artists whose records she would play and sing along to. An avid cardplayer of 500, hearts, both “good” and “bad”, and many others, Janet could hold her own even against Bernie, who, she would say, played cards his whole life. She would also join in on board games, Sorry, Aggravation, Trouble, 5-Straight.

Janet had a green thumb, growing many vegetables and flowers in gardens everywhere she lived (except, perhaps, her apartments in Winona). Besides gardening, she was also active in assisting Bernie on the farm, only cutting back some when her kids grew old enough to help. Throughout her life, she was a wonderful cook and baker, supporting her family of seven (4 boys, 1 girl) and contributing to countless church bazaars, rummage sales, silent auctions, bake sales, picnics, holiday gatherings, and other functions, which were very appreciative of her mouthwatering food and treats.

Besides her jobs before marriage and her homemaker and farmer roles, Janet was active as a Sunday school teacher, 4–H leader, and housecleaner, the last for a number of wealthy people with large houses in Winona. This cleaning job afforded her a chance to walk around Lake Winona, often both the large and smaller portions. Her love of walking was, of course, practiced in the country as well, in the fields and on the surrounding gravel and blacktop roads. She took this with her to La Crescent, often walking “way up on top”, on the bluffs, picking up aluminum cans wherever she found them.

In the years they had after moving to La Cresent, Janet and Bernie spent their time gardening; volunteering; watching Mom’s long-time soap opera, Another World; and traveling to small towns in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, delighting in the free breakfasts at hotels and the various small-town events. They would also attend each other’s church gatherings, Lutheran (hers) and Catholic (his), and entertain or visit friends and family.

One of 12, Janet always had children accentuating her life: first, her younger siblings; second, those she babysat for a job; next, her and Bernie’s 5 kids (themselves part of 45 cousins combined); finally, 13 grandchildren. Her sweet disposition and kindness towards and service of others, not to mention her fabulous food, were welcomed by all with whom she shared her time.

In 1998, Janet lost her darling daughter, Brenda, to complications from Dandy Walker Syndrome, a condition she had dealt with since an infant. Brenda’s death had a profound effect on Janet, causing her great sadness and a desperateness to cling to everything Brenda touched. She revered what Brenda displayed—patience, kindness, service—and missed the company of a daughter with whom she could share recipes, childrearing advice, and other homemaking tips. Janet finally found closeness in returning to the Lutheran church, the one she grew up with and the one Brenda had last attended. This was hard on Bernie, as he was devoted to his Catholic faith, but, in time, he and Janet learned to share each other’s connection to her or his church and always kept Brenda in their hearts.

In the early 2010s, Janet slowly developed dementia, a condition which gradually robbed her of her ability to cook, send letters and cards (many she wrote that did not get sent), keep up her diary, and play cards. Around the end of 2018, Bernie would develop dementia as well, a result of which brought them even closer together, bringing out a patience with each other that was a joy to witness. They never stopped caring for each other and both were able to enjoy a few years at their house in La Crescent before being moved to the house of Matt’s family in rural Bangor. This would not have been possible without the help of a number of wonderful caregivers (MaryLea Yeomans, Josie Schultz (and little helper, Addi), and Ashley and Lanita Agrimson), Janet and Bernie’s sons, Matt’s wife, Leslie, and Matt’s children, particularly Jeremiah. Janet loved petting the kitties and enjoying the country view with her beloved Bernie, who was at her side to the end. 

Janet passed away surrounded by family. Survivors are husband, Bernie; 4 sons, Matt (Leslie) Las of Bangor, WI, Anthony Las of Tomah, WI, Steven Las of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Sheldon (Kristy) Las of Pine Island, MN; 13 grandchildren, Bethany, Derek, Drew, Quinn, Khiara, Amanda, Brennigan, Jolene, Dylan, Abbigayle, Jeremiah, Ireland, Nolan; and 2 great-grandchildren, Lucas, Julia.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Brenda Stawarz; one brother, Armond; two sisters, Rosalie and Karmon.

Visitation/wake 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 14, 2025, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 South Oak Street, La Crescent, MN 55947. Visitation 10:00 a.m., Ceremony 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 21 North Hill Street, La Crescent, MN 55947. Lunch to follow ceremony.

Casket bearers will be the 4 sons, Matthew, Andy, Steven and Sheldon Las, and grandsons Jeremiah Las and Quinn Las.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to charitable causes to help those in need with your money, time, or blood/platelets/plasma (Mom being a continuous donor to the Red Cross).