Janet Marie Neitzel's Obituary
Janet Marie (Besonen) Neitzel, 70, of Big Rapids, Michigan passed away July 15, 2021. Jan was supported and cared for by her loving family at home.
Jan was born at home in Trout Creek, MI July 1, 1951. She was a petite, soft-spoken woman with a core of SISU inherited from her Finnish roots. She loved the colors of the Finnish flag and celebrated the culture especially enjoying saunas. Jan traveled both with her husband and her daughters often returning to the UP and Wisconsin to visit family. They also enjoyed trips to Ludington, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Muskegon's Michigan Adventure, Hershey, PA, shopping excursions to local cities, the inland lakes, and toured all of the Great Lakes. She and Phil cruised the Mexican Riviera, and explored sites in Cancun, the Napa Valley, and Florida. Jan loved holidays and celebrated each with decorations, food, and fun - her favorite was the 4th of July as city decorations were usually up in time for her birthday! A lover of music, Elvis was a favorite but she also jammed to her daughters "ride tunes." Jan enjoyed shopping for bright colors, bling, and often added to her eclectic collections. She always knew "good things come in small packages!"
Jan graduated from L'Anse High School, L'Anse, MI in 1969 and Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI with an LPN degree in 1971. She worked as a LPN at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, MI and Bentonville Hospital in Bentonville, AK. Jan and her husband, Philip were married on June 26th and recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. In addition to being a mom to their two beloved daughters, Jan also enjoyed working as a private home caregiver, a census worker, in medical record keeping for Smart Corp., and as a Walmart sales associate. Her co-workers appreciated her work ethic, warm smile, and fun sense of humor. Jan's last days were made more comfortable with the aid of Elara Caring Hospice.
She is survived by her husband Philip; her daughter Katina; her brother Donald (Nancy) Besonen; sisters Joan (Anthony) Haigh, Gail (David) Meinert, Pamela Besonen; and sister-in law Joanne Besonen. Brothers-in-law Kenneth (Jennifer) Neitzel, David (Barbara) Neitzel, Daniel Neitzel and sister- in-law Deborah (Al) Quast. Karen (Bob) Young and Mariette (Joe) Piencikowski, John (Maxine) Kallies, Doug (Charlene) Kallies as well as many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces. Special longtime childhood friends/relatives are Shirley Niemi Bjurstrom and Linda Rajala Holma. The families two dogs, Max and Gracie and cat, Gizmo who will miss their Grandma's snuggles.
Jan was preceded in death by her infant son Greg, daughter Nicole, her parents Waino and Alice Besonen, in-laws Martin and Evelyn Neitzel (Kallies), Lawrence Kallies, brother David Besonen, brother-in-laws Gordon and Doug Neitzel, sister-in-law Vicki Neitzel.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Mackie officiating. Jan's family will greet friends at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, July 19, and prior to the services on Tuesday at the church. A luncheon will be served in the church Fellowship Hall following the service. Following Jan's wishes her ashes will be placed both in the family plot at Highland View Cemetery, Big Rapids and at the Besonen Family Farm in Covington, MI at dates to be determined.
After her last health battle, with small cell lung cancer, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following organizations: American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (CANCER 1-800-227-2345), or to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 408 West Bellevue St., Big Rapids, MI 49307 (stpetersbr.org).
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