Janice Kay Engebretson passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025. A visitation will be from 4-7:00pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Nasinec Funeral Home at 789 Business Park Drive in Wells, MN. The memorial service will be held Monday, July 21, at 11:00am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester, MN which will be officiated by Pastor Don Rose.
Jan was born to Ludwig and Leona (Nehring) Scherb in Albert Lea, January 3, 1947. Jan was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. She grew up in rural Kiester and graduated from Kiester High School, the class of 1965. Jan attended Mankato Commercial College, where she received her associate’s degree and worked at Cummins, formerly Fleetguard, in Lake Mills, Iowa, for 44 years. She was united in marriage to Connie Engebretson on April 23, 1977, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. In 1977, they built their home in Kiester and welcomed Molly into their lives on May 25, 1981, and then again on May 25, 1984, Jill was born to become the crazy family of four. Jan had a passion to travel and took many trips with friends and continued those trips with her family. She especially loved the vacations to Florida and Hawaii with her grown children and grandchildren. She had so much pride in her community and served on the city council. She was strong in her faith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school for many years, serving on the altar guild and church council, and most recently, making cards with the church ladies. She had an extraordinary green thumb, which was reflected in her many flower beds. Cross-stitching, baking, and crafting were among other hobbies she thoroughly enjoyed. Above all, she loved her family. She adored her grandsons, Brody and Carter, and she was incredibly proud of them. Close friends brought her so much joy, and she cherished the many memories of wild chatter and games around the kitchen table. She was always up for any adventure, especially afternoon kayaking, country road hayrides, and boating shenanigans.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ludwig and Leona Scherb; infant sister, Carol Ann; brother, Glenn “Benny” Scherb; and father- and mother-in-law Christopher & Dorothy (Johnson) Engebretson; brother-in-law Lloyd Engebretson; sister-in-law Diane Benson; brother-in-law Clifford Engebretson and sister-in-law Mavis Westergaard.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Connie Engebretson, of Kiester; children, Molly Engebretson of Mankato; Jill and Lonnie, and grandsons Brody and Carter Steinhauer of Bricelyn; one sibling, Maurice (Kay) Scherb of Spencer, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Cindy Scherb of Kiester, Darlene (Richard) Jordahl of Albert Lea, Lorraine (William) Goette of Albert Lea, Glorian (Gerald) Hamson of Bricelyn, Linda Engebretson of Bricelyn; brother-in-law Eldar Westergaard of Oakland and many nieces and nephews. Family is not always defined by blood. Jan was honored and blessed to have Danielle Steinhauer and Brian Flindt in her life along with all her four-legged grandchildren.
Jan was a remarkable woman. She was dedicated, loyal, and hardworking in all aspects of her life. What truly set her apart was her kindness and thoughtfulness. Jan touched so many with her warmth, compassion, and spirit for life. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.
Jane was such a sweet heart and was like a second mom. She will be dearly missed.
I know that another angel went home. Jan and Connie were dedicated to my grandma Hazel Sampson. I have been so blessed to be involved with both of them for 47 year of fun and mostly love. Jan was a one in a million hearted woman. My mother Pat was devastated by the loss. They both were family to mine. Molly and Jill I am so sorry for your loss. But know this ladies you both came from precious stock. I also appreciate your love and compassion for my Grandma she deeply loved you all. God bless you in these times.
Thank you, Tracy and thank for making it to mom’s funeral. Mom was a very special lady as was Hazel. Thank you again for your kind words.
So sorry to hear about Jan’s passing, She was a dear cousin and will be missed. I’m sure there is a lot of laughter with her parents in heaven. There is another wonderful Angel in heaven.
Jan was a very loving sweet lady as the Scherb’s and Engebretson’s have always been!May God give them strength in her passing onto God’s eternal home!