Janet Moen, age 79, of Zhoda, MB, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach MB.
Janet is survived by her loving husband Leon, one daughter, Valerie, and one son, Kevin, two sisters Olga Strymbiski , Evelyn Strymbiski, sister-in-law Anne Tysoski brother-in-law Bill Stelmack and an additional family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Benjamen and Carol, four brothers Frank, Russell (Helen), Anton, and Borden; two sisters Mary (Peter Grouette), and Sonia Stelmack, parents-in-law Helen and Harold Moen and her sister-in-law Anna Moen.
Janet grew up in the family home along with her sisters and brothers in the village of Sandilands. She took her early education in the village school. Then Junior High-school was taken in Woodridge, which meant a six mile ride morning and evening, and High School was taken in La Broquerie, a ten mile trip twice daily.
In the early 1960’s the family relocated their home to the corner of highway 12 and Sandilands Road. There was a cost to this, Janet along with her mother and sisters did her share of berry picking over various summers to help pay for the new home.
When school was done Janet went to Winnipeg, staying with her sister Olga, while looking for work finding various jobs, a confectionary sales girl in a theatre, clerical work at Sunshine Uniforms and with Eaton’s where she took computer training that became the basis of her work from then on. While in Winnipeg, Janet continued to work with Eaton’s until her Wedding.
During this time many of her weekends were spent back in the country helping out at home, even more so after her fathers passing in 1966.
Saturday evening dances were a highlight in most country areas at the time. It was a time of relaxation after a busy week, a time to reacquaint with friends, and meet people. This led to the eventual meeting of her husband to be – Leon.
There was the initial dating – then dating more serious. In 1967 Leon’s work with the railroad took him to Edmonton as a permanent location. This meant a lot of writing letters and many train trips.
This was not the kind of relationship the young couple appreciated. To eliminate this problem, Janet and Leon were married the following summer on the 29th of June 1968. A trip shortly after their wedding in Winnipeg took them back to Edmonton where they spent five years.
In Edmonton Janet continued working with computers for Data Ways and the University of Alberta.
While in Edmonton their family increased when their daughter Valerie joined them.
With their return to Winnipeg, Janet continued her work with computers, some companies were Rapid Data, Air Canada, and MPI.
In Winnipeg there was another increase in their family with Kevin’s arrival.
Life in Winnipeg had its various aspects, along with the natural work requirements, children received education, participated in various community activities, and gained friends. There was reacquainting with families and their various extensions, and friends, the acquiring of various new friendships.
Janet spent 18 year with MPI before retiring.
Now both retired Janet and Leon began a rejuvenation of the old family farm in Dover that had been used as a camping sight on many occasions. In 1996 they made their move leaving the big city of Winnipeg and moving back to their country roots, and the Dover farm, where they have remained.
Janet has always been a kind, loving, thoughtful, person, caring and overly self giving, always considerate and caring for others above her own needs, with a very practical approach and strength in handling things disturbing. A personality that sparkled with a warmth for those she met.
She was always ready and willing to help community or personal endeavors. She enjoyed reading, not only her cook books, of which there are many, but books that told her of how other people or cultures lived. She enjoyed her computer games, watching cooking and game shows. She enjoyed flowers, and gardening, the canning and cooking and preserving that resulted from it. Even though at the end of every fall, and somewhat exhausted, stating there was going to be no garden next year, by the middle of April there were often little hints as to how soon we could begin work on it, and by the first of May there was an anxiousness as to when planting could start.
Janet loved to cook, constantly searching to provide meals of value for her family and friends was her pride and joy.
A special thanks to the staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre on behalf of Janet and her family.
In accordance with Janet’s wishes cremation has taken place, and no formal service will be held.