Janet Moilanen

BESSEMER, Mich. - Janet Moilanen peacefully passed away at her home on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2016, at the age of 87 years old.

Janet was born to Henry (Earl) and Astrid Sibley on June 12, 1929, in Wakefield.

Janet was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, John Moilanen; a son, John; a daughter, Jayne; a brother, Ray Sibley; and a sister, Muriel Busch.

She is survived by her Aunt Clara Wiita, Wakefield; sister, Betty Perron, Temperance; daughter, Judy (Dan) Servia, Travelers Rest, S.C .; son, James (Carrie) Moilanen, Laguna Beach, Calif .; six grandchildren, Joe, Sarah, Rebecca (Andy), Matthew, Megan and Audrey; and numerous very special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

After graduating from Wakefield High School in 1947, Janet found employment in Chicago. But the big city wasn't for her. She missed her parents and returned home after a few years. She married John Moilanen in 1950. They started a family and found a nice, lifelong home next to her sister, Muriel, in Bessemer. She was a stay-at-home mom until her husband John passed away in 1973.

Janet served the Bessemer Post Office as the rural mail carrier for 17 years. Her daily route required her to deliver mail to 400 residents over a 100-mile route every working day. After retiring from the USPS, she worked as a housekeeper at Powdermill Inn, where she formed some wonderful friendships with her co-workers.

She enjoyed traveling to visit relatives throughout the country. She learned to pull a camping trailer and joined a group of camping enthusiasts for a number of summers. She was an avid knitter and produced many beautiful afghan blankets and slippers which were gifted to friends and family members. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds. She also enjoyed working puzzles. Janet had an amazing bond with her dog, Ricky, and they went everywhere together.

Janet loved the joy of Christmas, Marty's Goldenaires, country western music, the flyover before the start of the Bessemer Fourth of July parade, polkaing, picking interesting rocks on the shores of Lake Superior, mowing her lawn well into her 80s on her riding lawnmower, the wonders of nature and the constant change of seasons observed living in Upper Michigan. Most of all, she loved spending time with family.

Janet's strong faith in God helped her navigate too many personal tragedies.

We will all miss her lovely smile, personal strength and often sassy personality.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Joel and Janice Massie for their constant stream of kindness. And a special thank you to the staffs of Avanti Home Care, Regional Hospice, UCI Cancer Center and Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a tribute donation be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org) in Janet's memory.

In accordance with Janet's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m., preceded by visitation at 2 p.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., in Wakefield, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

A committal service and inurnment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, in the spring.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.