Janet Wahlberg

Janet (Engels) Wahlberg, age 88, of Duluth, MN, formerly of Rochester, MN and New Prague, MN died peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, August 8, 2014 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN. She was born on April 21, 1926 in Montevideo, MN, the daughter of Alfred and Marian (Mann) Falkenhagen, the oldest of three children.

Janet graduated from Kasson High School followed by graduation from the University of Minnesota in 1949 with a degree in Home Economics. On August 26, 1950, she married Daniel Engels. He preceded her in death on January 8, 1978. On February 5, 1994, she married Lee Wahlberg in New Prague, MN. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2006.

She spent most of her adult life in Rochester, MN and taught Home Economics at several high schools, ultimately spending most of her career at Lourdes High School from 1968 to 1991. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women for 45 years and was the co-founder of the Widowed Person's Service in Rochester, MN, helping many people through the difficult transitions following the loss of a partner. She volunteered at St. John's Catholic Church in Rochester from 1950 to 1994.

Janet and Lee moved to Duluth in 2002 and became active members of the Lakeview Covenant Church. She enjoyed her volunteer activities on the ICU floor at Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital. Everyone who knew Janet knew her as an adventurous world traveler, a lifelong teacher and learner, and the biggest fan the Minnesota Gophers have ever seen.

Janet is survived by three daughters; Pat Wendle (Mac Bradley) of Denver, CO, Kathy (Brian) Pelto of Eden Prairie, MN, and Mary Engels (Lori Durant) of Duluth, MN. She is also survived by five stepsons; Gordon (Kirstin) Wahlberg of Washburn, WI, Rev. Greg (Debbie) Wahlberg of Dover, PA, Tom (Sally) Wahlberg of Minnetonka, MN, Rev. Brian (Jean) Wahlberg of Richland, PA, and Steve (Allison) Wahlberg of Grayslake, IL. Janet has seven grandchildren, Nikki (Drew) Bauer, Eric Pelto, Kurt Grassinger, Mark Wendle, Katie (Dave Dahl) Pelto, Sarah (Matt) Pohl, Daniel Durant, and one great-granddaughter, Ara Belle Pohl. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanne Nelson of Santa Rosa, CA. She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Falkenhagen.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Road, Duluth, MN 55804. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Concluding service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN. Our heartfelt thanks go to the amazing caregivers at Essentia Health St Mary's, Westwood Assisted Living and the Solvay Hospice House.

Memorials preferred to the Solvay Hospice House or Lakeview Covenant Church.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555.