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with honor, care and compassion |
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Janet Irene Berquist Born on May 11, 1940 in Opole, MN, Janet was the daughter of Valentine and Veronica (Struzyk) Solarz. Growing up in a small country town, population approximately 40, Janet had many great memories with her 7 sisters and 1 brother. She graduated from Holdingford High School. After graduation, Janet and her beloved sister, Marcy, wanted to experience more of life and to expand their horizons. The two of them went to explore the United States.
Settling down in Minneapolis with her sister, Janet welcomed her first daughter, Julie to the world. Soon after and while waitressing, she met Jon Berquist, who just finished serving in the Navy proudly for 7 years. Their love grew for each other and they were married on August 24, 1968. While living in Minneapolis, Janet welcomed her second daughter, Jennifer. Packing up the family, they moved to Eagan, where they welcome Jill to the family.
Janet and Jon were very active in the Eagan Lions and Lioness clubs. Serving the club in many positions, Janet’s favorite event was the spring fashion show. At one of the Lioness events, Janet told a bad joke. No one really laughed and keeping with her great sense of humor, she tapped the microphone saying “Is this thing on?” This came to be a favorite phrase of Janet’s family.
Enjoying traveling, Janet and the family were able to visit Jennifer in college over in England. A trip the family will remember forever. Unfortunately, this was the last family vacation. Janet and Jon went their separate ways.
Staying home to raise her daughters and grandchildren, Janet soon secured a realtor’s license. She loved her new path in life. Janet and her best friend Mary took a dream trip of a life time to the Holy Land. Janet was trying to fulfill a dream of Mary’s before passing from cancer, unbeknown; Janet suffered a major stroke two months later.
Life changed for Janet but she still was able to enjoy her family. Jennifer, Jill, Scott and Janet traveled to Disney World, which she treasured forever. Faith became very important in her life. She watched the EWTN network all day long. Dealing with the effects of the stroke, Jennifer and Jill become mom’s main care givers and her voice. The last 5 ½ years Janet lived at the Hawthorne House in Golden Valley. This home added many more years to Janet’s life, because of the fabulous care and compassion.
Janet was 70 years young when she passed away peacefully in the early morning of June 13, 2010 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN. She was of Golden Valley and formally of Eagan. Janet was an outgoing, protective, loving and caring mother and grandmother, who was a dedicate Catholic.
She is loved and will be deeply missed by daughter, Julie Vogt, Jennifer Berquist, and Jill (Scott) Sealock; grandchildren, Millie, Aaron, Sarah and AJ; sisters, Bernice Namyst and Eleanor Molus; brothers, Leo Solarz; and many nieces and nephews. Janet is preceded in death by her sisters, Marcy, Angie, Dorothy, Elizabeth and Marie.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, June 16, at 11:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior all at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue, Prior Lake, MN. Father Terry Weber will officiate.
Janet’s family would like to express its utmost gratitude to Susanthi and her staff of Hawthorne House in Golden Valley for taking such wonderful and loving care of Janet and her family during the past five years of her life.
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