Janet Marie Flatness

A funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church of Glenville at 11AM on Saturday, September 21, 2024, with Rev. Eileen Woyen officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Friday, September 20, 2024 at the church and for an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville.

Janet Marie Flatness, born on July 15, 1943, in Sargeant, MN, to George and Erma Grovdahl, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2024, with her family by her side. She was 81 years old.

Janet, known affectionately as Jan, graduated from Hayfield High School and furthered her education at Austin Community College. Her professional career included positions as a secretary at Glenville First Lutheran Church, Naeve Hospital, and Americana Bank (renamed several times), where her warm smile and dedication to service made a lasting impact on all who worked with her. Jan was a faithful servant of her church, serving in several capacities throughout the years. She also had a deep love for music and loved singing in the church choir for many years.

On her grandmother’s birthday, February 18, 1967, Jan married the love of her life, Don Flatness at her home church Evanger Lutheran in rural Sargeant. The couple resided in Austin and then settled in Glenville, where they raised their two children, Jon and Janean. Jan's unwavering devotion to her family and her passion for servant leadership were evident in the values she instilled in her children, always encouraging them to find ways to help others. 

Jan and Don cherished their life together in Glenville, where they enjoyed the company of friends and the beauty of their surroundings. They also loved traveling to attend their grandchildren's musical an sporting events and to explore scenic destinations. Jan had a special talent for cooking and baking, and her homemade cookies were a beloved treat for her grandchildren.

Jan is survived by her devoted husband, Don; son Jon (Sari) of Savage; daughter Janean (Joe) Mestnik of Prior Lake; grandchildren Cole Flatness, Ryan (Shelby) Mestnik, Tommy Mestnik, Anna Mestnik; and great-grandchildren Tatum and Brooks; as well as many nieces, nephews, special friends, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Erma Grovdahl, her sister Nellie Ann, and brother George Jr.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watched from the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home Facebook page at the following link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/YfgeP2HEW12sh1ep/